The proposed redevelopment and expansion of the Cape Winelands Airport estimated to cost about R7bn has entered the next phase, with an application to the Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning for environmental approvals.

A Business Day report says the public participation process for the environmental impact assessment is under way and the deadline for submissions is 8 December.

The airport is close to the N1 highway about 40km from Cape Town’s city centre and 25km from Cape Town International Airport.

The property was acquired in November 2020 by Cape Winelands Aero, a group of private businesspeople. It was formerly known as the Fisantekraal Airfield and belonged to the SA Air Force.

Now it is a general aviation airfield for unscheduled operations such as recreational flying, private hangarage, flight training, aircraft maintenance, charter operations and crop spraying.

The property is surrounded by cultivated land, livestock and poultry farms and a wastewater treatment facility.

Initial feasibility studies suggest the proposed airport development would integrate seamlessly into the air transport and airspace network as an alternate to Cape Town International Airport.

The development proposal involves a phased approach and includes construction of a primary runway of 3.5km and a secondary cross runway of 700m.

Depending on demand, further infrastructure development could include passenger and cargo terminals, a hotel, aircraft hangers and services, airport facilities and a bulk fuel storage facility.

Full Business Day report