Cape Town is planning a new international airport called Cape Winelands Airport near Joostenberg to ease crowding and support over five million travelers a year by 2050. This airport will blend modern design with nature, welcoming visitors right into the beautiful winelands and mountains. It aims to boost jobs, connect the region better, and help the city grow with smart, green infrastructure. Though challenges remain, this project marks a hopeful new chapter for Cape Town’s future.
Cape Town’s second international airport, named Cape Winelands Airport, is planned near Joostenberg to ease congestion, support over 5 million passengers annually by 2050, and drive regional growth. It aims to integrate sustainable design, improve connectivity, and boost economic opportunities in the Western Cape.
As the sun dipped over the vineyards of Groot Phesantekraal Wine Estate, an atmosphere of expectancy enveloped a select gathering of aviation leaders and urban planners. The scenic estate, framed by endless rows of grapevines and the distant silhouette of Table Mountain, played host to discussions that carried more weight than the casual setting suggested. This meeting hinted at a major shift for Cape Town—a city whose aspirations for a second international airport have lingered in policy papers and public debate for decades.
Momentum for the long-envisioned project reached a new high with the formal submission of the Environmental Authorisation (EA) application for what will officially be known as Cape Winelands Airport. In South Africa, the EA submission stands as a decisive regulatory step, reflecting years of meticulous planning and negotiation. Deon Cloete, managing director at RSA.aero, described this milestone as the culmination of five years’ effort, marked by persistence through bureaucratic hurdles and public skepticism. Cloete’s announcement, delivered in front of industry insiders and government representatives, marked the end of the project’s preparatory phase and signaled the start of a new, more public chapter.
RSA.aero, the consortium steering this initiative, has already demonstrated its ambition by acquiring Gariep Airport, signaling a strategy to unify and modernize South Africa’s network of airports. The selection of Joostenberg—an area blending rural charm with close proximity to Cape Town’s urban core—as the future airport’s location was a deliberate choice. This site, where the city’s sprawl meets the winelands, offers both expansion space and vital infrastructure connections, positioning it as an ideal focal point for the region’s growth.
For urban planners and economists, the belief that infrastructure shapes a city’s fate is more than theory—it’s an axiom. Jeremy Wiley from the Western Cape Property Development Forum has chronicled Cape Town’s transformation with a keen eye on both past trends and future prospects. Wiley points out that Cape Town’s population is projected to surpass 10 million by 2050, placing it among the world’s leading urban centers. This surge brings with it echoes of 20th-century city growth in places like São Paulo and Los Angeles, where expansion forced cities to confront challenges around mobility, inclusion, and efficient scaling.
Wiley’s observations combine urgency with optimism. He emphasizes the need for rapid infrastructure development to match the city’s accelerating population growth, highlighting a tension between the pace of urban migration and the slower timelines of large public projects. He also credits Cape Town’s relatively low unemployment rate—a rarity in South Africa—to effective municipal leadership and a willingness to embrace innovative solutions.
From the perspective of city officials, the new airport represents much more than a transport hub. Mikhail Manuel, from the City’s urban mobility committee, sees the Joostenberg node as poised for dramatic change. “The chance to foster real investment, generate new employment, and drive sustained growth over the next decade is within our grasp,” Manuel asserts. This vision, while reminiscent of grand post-war urban renewal projects, remains deeply anchored in present-day realities: rapid urbanization, global economic integration, and the urgent need to ensure opportunities extend beyond traditional urban boundaries.
RSA.aero expects the Cape Winelands Airport to accommodate over five million passengers annually by 2050, a figure that illustrates the scale of transformation underway. For years, Cape Town International Airport has struggled with congestion, especially during peak tourism and during large-scale events. Meanwhile, Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International continues to dominate as Africa’s primary gateway. The addition of a new major airport in the Western Cape promises to alleviate bottlenecks, serving both as a release valve for travel demand and a driver for regional growth.
The anticipated benefits extend beyond improved logistics. The airport’s development echoes the impact of major infrastructure projects that once reshaped cities from Paris to New York. When 19th and 20th-century metropolises built grand railway stations and airports, they not only enhanced connectivity but also redefined urban identities, fostering economic dynamism and cultural exchange. In a similar vein, Cape Town now stands on the brink of its own infrastructure renaissance, with the promise of a facility that blends world-class design, sustainability, and regional character.
Beyond its technical and economic significance, the project carries a sense of poetic possibility. Set amid vineyards and mountains, the terminal would offer travelers a unique introduction to the Cape Winelands, inviting them into a landscape that blends natural beauty with cultural richness. Arrival in this setting could mean stepping directly from an airplane into a world of fynbos, wine tastings, and outdoor adventure—an experience as welcoming as it is efficient.
No groundbreaking has been scheduled yet. The project still faces crucial hurdles: the environmental impact assessment must follow South Africa’s stringent review process, and financial arrangements remain unresolved. Deon Cloete reports that a specialist finance team is actively considering funding options, aiming to secure necessary investment while maintaining high standards for sustainability and long-term viability. Achieving the right balance between development and ecological preservation is essential, especially in a region celebrated for its biodiversity and scenic value.
The project’s supporters—ranging from aviation officials to local farmers—express a mix of hope and caution. Past proposals for a second Cape Town airport have languished or failed due to bureaucratic inertia or shifting priorities. However, this attempt enjoys rare alignment between population growth, political will, and economic necessity, giving it momentum that previous efforts have lacked.
Cape Town’s diverse economy, with strengths in tourism, technology, and agriculture, provides a solid foundation for expanding aviation capacity. A new regional airport could reinforce the city’s status as a destination for conferences, cultural events, and entrepreneurial innovation. The Western Cape’s wine sector already attracts thousands annually; easier air access could further elevate its global profile and stimulate investment in hospitality, logistics, and supporting industries.
Modern airports increasingly resemble miniature cities, complete with art galleries, business centers, shopping, and even urban farms. The team planning Cape Winelands Airport envisions a facility that integrates seamlessly with local transportation networks and exemplifies sustainable building practices. Plans include rail and road connections, green technologies, and ongoing engagement with local communities to maximize social and economic benefits.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the stakes are higher for the global aviation industry. As the sector recovers from unprecedented disruption, airports must embrace innovation in technology, sustainability, and the traveler experience. South Africa, renowned for its creative spirit and resilience, stands ready to contribute to these global trends. The airport planners aim to deliver a facility that adapts to evolving demands and remains robust in the face of future uncertainties.
As twilight settled over Durbanville’s hills, the gathering at Groot Phesantekraal dispersed, but the spirit of anticipation lingered. The Cape Winelands Airport, still a vision on paper, draws on Cape Town’s history of ambition and its resolve to embrace growth. As environmental reviews conclude and financial plans solidify in the coming months, the city edges closer to transforming a decades-old dream into a new landmark—one that promises to shape Cape Town’s economic and cultural landscape for generations.
Cape Town’s second international airport, named Cape Winelands Airport, is being planned near Joostenberg to ease congestion at Cape Town International Airport and support over five million passengers annually by 2050. The airport aims to improve regional connectivity, create jobs, and support sustainable urban growth with smart, green infrastructure. It will help accommodate the city’s rapidly growing population and tourism demand while boosting the Western Cape’s economy.
The airport will be located near Joostenberg, an area that blends rural charm with proximity to Cape Town’s urban core. This location was selected deliberately as it offers ample space for expansion and access to key infrastructure connections. Positioned at the interface of the city’s sprawl and the scenic winelands, it provides an ideal setting to combine modern airport facilities with cultural and natural attractions, creating a gateway to the region’s famous vineyards and mountains.
Beyond alleviating congestion, Cape Winelands Airport is expected to:
Key challenges include:
Despite these obstacles, current alignment of population growth, political will, and economic necessity gives the project strong prospects.
Sustainability is a core principle for the project. Plans include:
The project aims to set a new standard for eco-conscious airport development in South Africa.
As of now, no groundbreaking date has been set. The project is currently in the regulatory and planning phase, with the Environmental Authorisation application submitted and under review. Financial arrangements are being finalized. Construction can only commence once all environmental approvals and funding are secured. The airport is targeted to be operational and capable of handling over five million passengers annually by 2050, aligning with Cape Town’s long-term growth and infrastructure needs.
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