Plans for Cape Town’s long-anticipated second international airport have reached a significant milestone, with the formal submission of an Environmental Authorisation (EA) application, bringing the Cape Winelands Airport project closer to reality.
The announcement was made at a recent aviation networking event at Groot Phesantekraal Wine Estate in Durbanville, where industry leaders, government officials, and developers gathered to discuss the project’s momentum and its regional implications.
The proposed airport is being driven by RSA.aero, a consortium of aviation industry veterans. According to Managing Director Deon Cloete, the EA application marks the culmination of five years of groundwork and paves the way for regulatory decisions expected before the end of 2025.
“We have officially submitted the EA application,” Cloete confirmed.
“This is a major step forward, and we are optimistic about the outcome.”
Strategic location and ambitious vision
The Cape Winelands Airport is planned for the Joostenberg area in the city’s northern suburbs – a location selected for its strategic value, access to key transport routes, and potential to ease pressure on Cape Town International Airport.
The airport aims to accommodate over five million passengers annually by 2050, according to Cloete, and funding talks are already underway.
“A dedicated finance team is currently evaluating offers to secure the long-term viability of the project,” he said.
Addressing a growing city
Urban experts see the new airport as critical for Cape Town’s fast-growing population.
Jeremy Wiley of the Western Cape Property Development Forum noted that the city is on track to become a megacity, with more than 10 million residents expected by 2050.
“Cape Town’s growth is accelerating. Infrastructure needs to keep up,” said Wiley.
“This project shows leadership is responding with foresight.”
Economic and employment catalyst
Mikhail Manuel, speaking on behalf of the City’s Urban Mobility Committee, described the Joostenberg node as a zone of imminent economic expansion.
“This is more than a transport development. It’s a trigger for real investment, job creation, and spatial transformation over the next decade,” said Manuel.
“The City is fully committed.”
Next steps
While no official construction date has been confirmed, developers remain cautiously optimistic.
The final environmental decision is expected by year-end, after which more concrete timelines will likely follow.
If greenlit, the Cape Winelands Airport could mark a pivotal shift in the Western Cape’s infrastructure and mobility landscape – unlocking new regional growth, tourism potential, and connectivity for South Africa’s second-largest city.
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