The City of Cape Town has given its full backing to the development of a new airport in the Mother City, designated as the ‘Winelands Airport’.
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This initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the city’s aviation infrastructure and economic growth.
James Vos, the City Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, has expressed strong support for this project. He emphasised its potential to transform Cape Town’s land and skyscape, ushering in an era of new opportunities and prosperity.
“Thus far, significant progress has been made as demonstrated by the recent lodging of the Notice of Intent for Environmental Authorisation. This critical step reflects a commitment to responsible and sustainable development, marking a key milestone in bringing the vision to life,” Vos said.
Vos also highlighted the airport’s expected contribution to job creation and its role in attracting more business and tourists to the region.
“Positioned to be a hub for socio-economic growth, it promises to create jobs, support local business and enhance our city’s competitive edge,” he added.
The Winelands Airport, formerly an SA Airforce airfield and currently a private property, serves as a general flying space and a flight training academy.
The development plan involves building the new airport near Durbanville. This project, however, is subject to an ongoing environmental impact assessment to evaluate its feasibility and potential impacts.
If the project progresses as planned, construction is set to begin in 2025, with the airport opening its doors in 2027. The proposed budget for this ambitious project is R7 billion.
The new airport will not only provide support to the existing Cape Town International Airport but also significantly improve the city’s aviation capacity.
An intriguing aspect of the Winelands Airport is its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The airport aims to be largely self-sufficient, minimising its reliance on external water and electricity sources.
Plans include the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar power and chicken manure biogas power, to operate its facilities. This approach positions the Winelands Airport as a forward-thinking and environmentally conscious development.
The project, predominantly led by the private sector, has received assurance of support from the City of Cape Town. This support is crucial for navigating the regulatory phases and ensuring the smooth progress of the development.