Cape Winelands Airport Gains Altitude with Growthpoint Partnership

Growthpoint Properties, the largest listed real estate group in South Africa, has initiated a significant partnership with Cape Winelands Airport, poised to transform the aviation, logistics, and tourism sectors in the Western Cape. This agreement marks Growthpoint's inaugural venture into the aviation infrastructure sector, positioning it as a key player in the development and management of what is anticipated to be South Africa's next-generation airport precinct.

This privately driven airport project, located at the former Fisantekraal Airfield northeast of Durbanville, is envisaged to become a second major gateway to the province, serving as a cornerstone for long-term regional development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Growthpoint has made an initial investment and secured the rights to co-invest in subsequent phases of the 450-hectare Cape Winelands Airport precinct. The company will assume responsibility for property and asset management across the site's commercial, logistics, and hospitality elements, excluding the terminal buildings, while ensuring that construction and governance adhere to institutional standards.

Growthpoint's expertise in large-scale, mixed-use, and tourism precincts, including its co-ownership of Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, establishes it as a strong partner for this ambitious aviation development. The company's total assets are valued at R155.8 billion, encompassing retail, office, and logistics properties.

Nicholas Ferguson, Managing Director of RSA Aero, the owner and operator of Cape Winelands Airport, described the partnership as a pivotal moment for the project. "Growthpoint's involvement provides the institutional foundation and delivery capacity needed to build an airport precinct of global quality that will serve the region for generations to come"

The Cape Winelands Airport development aims to meet the increasing aviation demand in the Western Cape, improve logistics efficiency, and enhance regional tourism. Upon completion, it is expected to alleviate pressure on Cape Town International Airport, particularly as passenger and cargo traffic increase in the coming decades.

The initial phase of development will focus on a new runway and safety infrastructure, followed by terminal buildings, cargo facilities, and an adjoining logistics and industrial zone. Subject to environmental approvals, construction is anticipated to commence in early 2026, with the airport slated for commissioning by 2028. By 2050, the airport is projected to accommodate over five million passengers annually.

Norbert Sasse, Group CEO of Growthpoint Properties, noted that the project aligns with the company's long-term investment strategy and its commitment to sustainable growth. "Cape Winelands Airport and its visionary partners have initiated a catalyst for long-term value creation and a legacy asset for the Western Cape," he said. "We are pleased to contribute to strengthening Cape Town's infrastructure and supporting South Africa's broader growth narrative."

The project represents an initial investment of approximately R8 billion and is projected to sustain about 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and early operations. Over its first two decades, the airport could support more than 100,000 jobs, significantly boosting the provincial economy.

Werner van Antwerpen, Growthpoint's Head of Corporate Advisory, remarked that the partnership also underscores how well-planned infrastructure can facilitate inclusive economic development. "Tourism and foreign direct investment are powerful economic multipliers," he said. "When tourism infrastructure operates sustainably and at scale, jobs follow, cities thrive, and communities benefit."

Growthpoint, which has contributed to the development of some of South Africa's most successful precincts, will bring governance and financial discipline to the project. The company will oversee the main construction contractors and ensure that sustainability and community impact remain central to the project's design and execution. A defining feature of the Cape Winelands Airport will be its commitment to environmental performance. Developers aim for it to become the greenest airport globally, operating primarily on renewable energy and supported by extensive water reuse systems.

Growthpoint, which has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, will guide the project's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework. "Our commitment to Cape Winelands Airport aligns with Growthpoint's purpose of creating space to thrive," said Sasse. "While the project is centred around aviation, it also focuses on unlocking inclusive growth and setting new standards for sustainable development."

Located just 13 kilometres northeast of Durbanville, the airport site is at the heart of the Cape Winelands growth corridor, an area with a rapidly expanding population, robust agricultural base, and increasing industrial activity. The development is expected to anchor new investment in logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing, while also supporting Cape Town's natural northward expansion, regarded as the city's only viable long-term growth direction.

Once operational, Cape Winelands Airport will complement Cape Town International Airport by reducing congestion, enhancing airfreight efficiency, and opening new routes for both domestic and international carriers. It will also lower transport costs and carbon emissions by creating shorter supply chains and more direct air links for the region's exporters. "This partnership ensures the Cape Winelands Airport precinct is backed by South Africa's most credible property investor," Ferguson said. "Together with Growthpoint, we're not just building an airport; we're creating a long-term platform for investment, innovation, and opportunity in the Western Cape."

The project's proponents view Cape Winelands Airport as more than a transport hub. They describe it as a new kind of precinct, one that integrates aviation, real estate, and sustainability into a single, interconnected ecosystem.

The airport's design will include business parks, logistics facilities, hospitality developments, and supporting infrastructure, all intended to attract long-term investors and position the Western Cape as a leader in sustainable aviation and development. For Growthpoint, the agreement extends its strategy of investing in high-performing locations and sectors. It also allows the company to expand its influence in infrastructure that supports both tourism and trade, two of South Africa's most significant economic drivers.

As the Western Cape continues to experience strong population growth, Cape Winelands Airport could play a crucial role in supporting the province's next phase of development. By combining the financial strength of Growthpoint with RSA Aero's aviation expertise, the project represents one of the most significant private infrastructure ventures currently underway in South Africa. If all proceeds according to plan, the first aircraft could be landing on the new runway within three years, and by 2028, Cape Town could boast a second international airport designed from the ground up for a greener, more connected future.