Saturday, 18 October 2025
South Africa’s largest listed property company, Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), has taken a key role in developing the Cape Winelands Airport, a privately owned aviation precinct near Cape Town that aims to become the Western Cape’s next major transport and logistics hub.
The company confirmed an initial investment and secured the right to co-invest and co-develop properties within the 450-hectare site, formerly known as Fisantekraal Airfield, under a long-term partnership with RSA Aero, the airport’s owner and operator.
According to a joint statement, Growthpoint will act as development and asset manager for the airport’s logistics, commercial, and hospitality precincts — excluding the terminal buildings — while holding a right of first refusal on future developments. The group’s responsibilities include ensuring project governance, environmental compliance, and sustainable construction standards.
“This partnership represents a step-change for Cape Winelands Airport,” said Nicholas Ferguson, Managing Director of RSA Aero. “Growthpoint’s institutional backing provides the foundation to deliver an airport precinct of global quality that will strengthen the region’s trade, tourism, and logistics capacity.”
The project will roll out in phases, beginning with runway and safety infrastructure, followed by terminal and cargo facilities. Pending environmental approvals, construction could begin as early as 2026, with the airport expected to be operational by 2028.
Growthpoint’s Group CEO, Norbert Sasse, described the partnership as a “long-term value creation opportunity” for both the Western Cape and South Africa’s broader economy. “The project aligns with Growthpoint’s focus on high-performing locations and sustainable developments that drive economic inclusion,” he said.
The airport’s initial investment is projected at around R8 billion, with plans for the site to sustain about 35,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and more than 100,000 over its first 20 years. While these figures are based on forecasts, the developers say they reflect the project’s intended scale and regional impact.
The Cape Winelands Airport is positioned to relieve pressure on Cape Town International Airport, serving as a second major aviation gateway for the province. Once operational, it will handle an estimated five million passengers annually by 2050, and act as a catalyst for regional growth along the expanding Cape Winelands corridor.
A key feature of the project is its environmental ambition. The airport is designed to operate largely on renewable energy and incorporate water reuse and carbon reduction systems, with the goal of becoming one of the world’s most sustainable airports. Growthpoint’s ESG leadership — and its corporate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 — will guide the project’s sustainability strategy.
“This development is about more than aviation,” added Werner van Antwerpen, Growthpoint’s Head of Corporate Advisory. “It’s about creating jobs, attracting investment, and influencing how tourism and logistics infrastructure can operate sustainably at scale.”
The partnership between Growthpoint and RSA Aero marks one of South Africa’s most significant private infrastructure collaborations in recent years. If successful, the Cape Winelands Airport could reshape the Western Cape’s economic geography — connecting industries, communities, and global markets in a single, integrated hub.
Source: Growthpoint Properties; RSA Aero; Engineering News; Bizcommunity; CIJ EUROPE analysis.
