The Cape Winelands Airport development has entered a major new phase with the appointment of Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) as the contractor responsible for the technical development and construction of the planned R8 billion airport in Cape Town.
The new aviation hub will be built on the site of the historic Fisantekraal Airfield, established in 1943 as a Lockheed Ventura bomber base for the South African Air Force.
Located 13km north-east of Durbanville, the site currently operates as a general aviation and flight-training base.
WBHO has constructed many well-known buildings in South Africa, including Discovery’s Sandton headquarters, the PwC tower in Midrand, the Mall of Africa, the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, and King Shaka International Airport.
The airport is expected to sustain approximately 35 000 direct and indirect jobs and could sustain just over 100 000 direct and indirect jobs during its initial 20 years of operation.
The plan is for the development to include a 3 500m runway able to handle aircraft the size of the Airbus A380.
The aim is to welcome travellers in 2028.
Technical Design Phase Underway
“With the contractor now formally on board, the project advances into a crucial new phase – detailed technical development and planning,” said Cape Winelands Airport MD Deon Cloete.
“This appointment will enable the team to begin developing the specific designs and engineering frameworks required to move the project toward construction readiness. This process will also provide clearer insights into overall timelines and costs.”
Major Infrastructure Planned
Construction will include:
- A large-scale passenger terminal
- Extended and realigned runways
- Upgraded airside systems
- Expanded cargo and logistics facilities
- A modernised general aviation precinct
WBHO director Russell Adams said the company is “honoured” to join the project, adding that the partnership will accelerate technical design and pave the way for construction.
“WBHO is excited to be part of a greenfield project of this scale and complexity. Successful completion will showcase the talent and competence of South Africa’s local development, investment, design and construction capacity in delivering significant economic infrastructure,” Adams said.
Cloete added that WBHO’s proven track record on large infrastructure projects positions the airport for “excellence in execution”.
WBHO CEO Wolfgang Neff and RSA Aero MD Nick Ferguson sign the construction agreement. RSA Aero owns the Cape Winelands Airport.
Growthpoint Confirmed as Development Partner
The construction agreement follows the recent announcement that Growthpoint Properties has joined as a development partner.
The JSE-listed group will take on long-term property and asset management responsibilities across the airport’s 450-hectare aviation precinct, including logistics, commercial and hospitality components.
Once completed, the Cape Winelands Airport is expected to become one of the largest privately developed aviation projects in South Africa, with the aim of boosting regional connectivity, investment and economic growth.
