Behind Cape Town International Airport’s planned expansion

The recent revelation of a monumental R21.7 billion expansion for Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and OR Tambo International Airport, together with four other airports in South Africa, stands as a momentous stride in reshaping the country’s aviation and economic terrain – an achievement that deserves our applause.

As the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) embarks on this ambitious plan, I thought it would be worthwhile to shed light on its profound significance, from a Cape Town perspective.

Read: Multi-billion-rand Cape Town and OR Tambo airport expansions to go ahead

The plan transcends the boundaries of mere airport upgrades. This expansion is not just about our airports; it is a testament to unwavering advocacy, meticulous planning, and a shared vision for the economic prosperity of Cape Town.

In my role as the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, the primary objective is to attract investments that create jobs and economic opportunities. Central to this mission is leveraging the potential of our aviation sector, a key component for economic development through tourism and trade.

Through strategic city-to-city agreements and innovative campaigns, we have successfully secured 215 international flights every week, connecting Cape Town to 31 diverse destinations worldwide.

In the bustling month of December (2023) alone, our airport efficiently processed a staggering 317 000 international two-way passengers, highlighting the growing appeal of Cape Town as a global hub.

Over the past year, the city welcomed nearly 2.9 million passenger arrivals at CTIA – a testament to our commitment to fostering international connectivity and positioning Cape Town as an enticing destination on the global stage.

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Allow me to share a personal note: aviation has been a lifelong passion of mine. Growing up, my fascination with aviation dovetailed with another mission – to cultivate a robust economy that provides ample opportunities for our citizens.

As aviation plays a pivotal role in Cape Town’s growth, particularly in tourism and trade, my department and I are dedicated to stimulating and expanding the aviation economy.

The Air Access initiative, funded by the City of Cape Town, exemplifies our commitment, aiming to enhance flight routes to and from the Mother City.

The significant expansion of CTIA is a natural progression, promising not only increased flights but also a substantial boost to the city’s cargo capabilities, creating exciting prospects for export and global product placement.

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CTIA’s substantial 52% growth in international cargo freight is not happenstance, but a product of strategic efforts. Collaborative endeavours with key stakeholders have resulted in a comprehensive Cargo Strategy, guiding the future development of this industry and unlocking opportunities for Capetonians.

This expansion, encompassing a new runway, refurbishment of domestic arrivals, and hopefully the expansion of the international terminal, transcends being a mere infrastructure project. It’s a transformative pathway to optimise benefits for local contractors and communities, reaffirming Cape Town as a premier travel, investment, and business destination globally.

Open skies

In ongoing efforts, dating back to 2014 while serving as Member of Parliament, I’ve been an advocate for open skies agreements, crucial for airspace utilisation, competitive fares, and expanded choices for travellers.

The economic impact is undeniable, with air travel contributing R24 billion and supporting over 10 600 jobs in 2022 alone in our city.

Strategic initiatives, such as the Choose Cape Town campaign and city-to-city agreements around the globe, showcase our commitment to driving economic growth creatively and proactively. With the budget for CTIA’s expansion getting the green light, our focus extends to expanding trade routes, thus exposing local producers to new markets globally.

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As my team and I gear up for trade missions to key source markets, our vision remains clear – to position Cape Town as the top choice for trade and travel. The expansion of CTIA and pursuit of open skies agreements are not just about airport infrastructure; they are deliberate steps towards a vision where every household in Cape Town benefits from tourism and trade related jobs.

I will closely monitor the planning and execution of these upgrades to ensure their successful implementation, aligning with our commitment to advancing Cape Town’s infrastructure and economic development.

In conclusion, the careful design and thoughtful advocacy behind the CTIA expansion and open skies agreements reflect our commitment to a sustainable, prosperous future for all Capetonians.

Growing the economy and empowering people are at the heart of what we do. With an incredible team, we will continue working tirelessly towards this vision. Nothing related to the Cape Town economy is left to chance; it’s all by design.

* Alderman James Vos is City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.