Stellenbosch University Partners with Cape Winelands Airport in R8 Billion Development
Stellenbosch University has entered into a formal partnership with the Cape Winelands Airport, a planned R8 billion to R10 billion development set to be built on the Fisantekraal Airfield approximately 13km northeast of Durbanville. The collaboration will span spatial planning, transport and logistics, aviation research, and agricultural and food processing, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026. The airport is designed to serve as an alternative to Cape Town International Airport, capable of handling wide-body aircraft and offering more direct access to the Western Cape's wine regions.
The partnership will create applied research and practical learning opportunities for students, with initial proposals including Master's-level engineering research projects linked to the airport's development. Over its first 20 years of operation, the airport is projected to support 35,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs, positioning it as a significant economic driver for the region. For the tourism industry, the development adds to a broader wave of aviation investment in the Western Cape - Cape Town International Airport is currently undergoing a separate R10 billion upgrade under ACSA's national infrastructure programme, while the private Atlantic Aerodrome near Philadelphia is scheduled to open in September 2026.
Source: TopAuto
