‘Just the Beginning’ -- Cape Winelands Aero director Nick Ferguson reacts to Growthpoint partnership
JSE-listed Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), has announced a strategic partnership to co-invest and develop the new Cape Winelands Airport. Cape Chamber takes a closer look at the project.
1) The Growthpoint partnership is indeed a step-change for the project. Has the partnership been on the cards for a while? And was there anything particular that happened to 'seal the deal' ?
We see this partnership with Growthpoint is a strategic alignment, not a sudden development. It brings together South Africa’s leading aviation infrastructure team with the country’s foremost property and commercial real-estate group. What really sealed the deal was a shared vision for how this project can reshape connectivity and investment across the Western Cape.
2) Regarding the airport precinct. can you clarify the current property ownership landscape? Is there much additional property that still needs to be acquired ?
The core airport property, covering roughly 880 hectares, is already under our ownership and control. It is more than sufficient to realise the full Cape Winelands Airport vision. Airports are planned decades in advance, and we’re currently reviewing and refining the masterplan to ensure it’s aligned with long-term growth, sustainability, and changing aviation trends.
One of our greatest advantages is location and space. We’re exceptionally well positioned with plenty of room to grow, rather than being boxed in like many legacy airports. That flexibility allows us to plan confidently for the future and accommodate expansion in a responsible, sustainable way.
3) The EIA application is now in and awaiting consideration. What are the other key regulatory hurdles that need to be cleared before formal lift-off?
Yes, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application is a major milestone, and we’re pleased to have reached that stage. From here, the key regulatory processes run in parallel; primarily the municipal land-use approvals under the Municipal Planning By-Law and the licensing processes governed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
Each of these steps is well defined, and we’ve structured the project to ensure they align. Once the EIA and planning approvals are in place, we can move toward financial close and the commencement of construction. In short, we’re through the most complex part of the process, and now it’s about coordinating the remaining approvals toward formal lift-off.
4) Are you expecting much opposition from affected residents who might be worried about impacts such as traffic etc?
We’re extremely encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive responses we’ve received to date; the excitement is palpable, and people genuinely can’t wait for the airport to open. Of course, there have been some residents who’ve raised concerns, and all of those have been carefully considered and documented in the Environmental Impact Assessment.
We’re also in a very fortunate position: the airport is not located in a built-up area, which means there are fewer than a handful of residences that could be affected by noise and ample room for integrated planning, we can mitigate other impacts. This allows us to proactively align any future developments to ensure they’re fully compatible with the airport’s growth and vice versa. It’s a rare opportunity to design an airport that can expand sustainably while coexisting harmoniously with its surroundings.
5) Cape Town is growing fast. Is a second international airport inevitable? Could there have been a different site, or is this a no-brainer?
Cape Town is growing fast, and it continues to be one of the world’s most desirable destinations. The tourism entities are doing exceptional work and according to Time Out Magazine, Cape Town was recently named the World’s Best City for 2025. With that kind of momentum, the timing for our airport couldn’t be better. A second airport isn’t just about meeting today’s demand it’s about future-proofing our city so we never limit its growth. To remain globally competitive, Cape Town needs a second airport. Nearly every major city in the world has more than one even Windhoek has two.
We conducted a detailed study some time ago, and it confirmed that there really isn’t another suitable location in the city for a second airport. Airports require large tracts of land, relatively flat topography, and minimal surrounding development. Cape Town International is situated on the Cape Flats, and Cape Winelands Airport — built originally in 1943 — occupies the Joostenberg Vlakte. There’s a reason our predecessors chose these sites: they’re among the only viable areas that meet the operational, environmental, and airspace requirements.
Our location allows us to operate independently of Cape Town International while still integrating seamlessly from an airspace perspective. It’s a logical, sustainable evolution of the city’s aviation network and a clear strategic move when it comes to unlocking Cape Town’s next phase of growth.
6) The absence of a second international airport in the Cape Metropole is already a problem for some airlines which require an alternative landing option. Is this correct?
That’s correct. The absence of a second international airport in the Cape Metropole has created real operational and logistical bottlenecks. Cape Winelands Airport doesn’t just provide essential redundancy for airlines ; it fundamentally changes the flow of trade into the region.
It unlocks around 110,000 tons of air cargo annually - that’s roughly 25% of all air cargo currently entering South Africa, of which about 95% currently moves through OR Tambo International due to capacity and routing constraints into Cape Town. By opening a second international gateway, we enable that cargo to move directly into the Western Cape economy, saving approximately 22 million litres of fuel and cutting 60 million kilograms of carbon emissions each year.
In total, this represents over R1 billion in value creation for the aviation industry every year, and that benefit will only grow as trade and passenger volumes expand. It represents a major efficiency and sustainability catalyst for South Africa’s aviation network.
7) I've seen lots of figures, but what would for you is the most exciting aspect of this project?
For me, the most exciting part is that this project is about building South Africa’s future, not just another airport. We’re creating an entirely new economic ecosystem; one that connects aviation, logistics, technology, and tourism in a way that hasn’t been done before in this country.
It’s rare to work on something that will genuinely shift how a region grows and competes globally. The idea that we can create thousands of jobs, attract new investment, and open Cape Town to the world all while doing it sustainably and responsibly - that’s incredibly motivating.
And of course, the fact that it’s happening here, in the Cape Winelands, with world-class partners and so much public excitement, makes it even more special. You don’t often get the chance to help build something that will still be shaping lives a hundred years from now.
8) Has the project consumed much of your life over the past few years? How long have you been busy with it?
Yes, it really has become part of my life. I’m now in my sixth year working on the project, and it’s been an extraordinary journey. These kinds of developments take persistence and vision, but when you start to see them come to life, it’s incredibly fulfilling.
Even my 12-year-old son has become quietly proud of it. He recently asked if I could come and give a presentation to his classmates about the airport. That moment really brought home what this is all about: building something that inspires the next generation and creates a sense of pride in what’s possible for South Africa.
9) There are always more airports. What's next after this for you? Or is this the final destination?
That’s a great question. For now, my focus is 100% on delivering Cape Winelands Airport, it’s a once-in-a-generation project, and it deserves every ounce of attention and energy we can give it. But aviation has a way of getting under your skin. Once you’ve built one airport, you start seeing opportunities everywhere to rethink how airports connect people, trade, and technology.
We’re also fortunate to have an incredible team driving this forward. Our Managing Director, Deon Cloete, is now on his third Environmental Impact Assessment for a major South African airport, after leading the processes for King Shaka International Airport and the Cape Town International runway realignment. That kind of experience gives us immense confidence in the quality and credibility of what we’re building.
So while this may feel like a destination, it’s also a beginning. What excites me most is the platform we’re creating, the expertise, the partnerships, and the confidence to keep shaping how aviation infrastructure can drive economic growth in South Africa and beyond.