Cape Winelands Airport Awaits Crucial Environmental Decision

CAPE TOWN — 1 October 2023

Cape Town’s second airport development now depends on environmental approval, with authorities expected to decide by month-end.

The Cape Winelands Airport project submitted its final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in May 2023. Approval would clear the way for construction to begin.

Managing Director Deon Cloete confirmed the five-year planning milestone: “That submission has gone in, and after your submission, the competent authority has a timeline in which they have to make a decision, which is either ‘yes, this project can proceed’ or ‘no, this project can’t proceed’.” (IOL)

He added: “We hope that decision will be coming through, approximately at the end of next month (October). That decision is a very important one, where we hope to get the green light for this project.”

The planned airport mirrors Lanseria International Airport’s model and requires R8-10 billion for initial construction. “Airports are expensive because you put a lot of investment into the ground,” noted Cloete.

If approved, construction would take about two years. Cloete stated they are “probably looking at a 2028 opening.”

The project’s progress now hinges on the government’s environmental ruling.