Cape Town International Airport set for major upgrade, capacity boost

Cape Town International Airport is transforming into a major economic hub. 

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) revealed plans to spend R21.7 billion over the next five years to upgrade the country’s major airports to accommodate more passengers and aircraft.

Infrastructure upgrades include new runways, cargo facilities, domestic arrival terminals, and baggage facilities.

Acting Regional General Manager at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), Thabo Phateng, said that a third of the budget is earmarked for CTIA.

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He explained that the upgrades will transform it into a hub for economic development.

Two key projects include expanding the domestic arrival terminal to increase capacity and a second, new, longer runway.

“We have got capacity constraints, in fact, in all spaces from the departure area, arrivals, both international and domestic, including on the air side.”

Phateng noted that an operational plan is in the works to ensure minimal disruption to airport operations.

“It will include temporary facilities to accommodate live operations. We have done this before, and we have done it professionally,” he said.

To listen to Phateng in conversation with CapeTalk’s John Maytham, use the audio player below: