Airports Company South Africa Commits R11.3 Billion to Massive Cape Town International Airport Expansion

ACSA announces R11.3-billion upgrade for Cape Town International Airport, featuring a new runway and domestic terminal to boost passenger capacity by 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 9:19 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Engineering News

A Strategic Overhaul of South Africa’s Coastal Aviation Hub

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has initiated an ambitious R11.3-billion infrastructure program designed to transform the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) into a high-capacity global gateway. The state-owned entity’s long-term capital investment strategy focuses on modernizing aging facilities and strengthening operational resilience to meet projected travel demands. According to ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe, the comprehensive rollout will cover landside facilities, terminal infrastructure, and airfield operations, ensuring the airport remains a competitive driver for regional economic activity.

Revolutionizing Airfield Capacity with a Realigned Runway

The most significant and costly component of the expansion is the construction of a new Code F compliant runway, estimated at R6.2-billion. Rather than continuing with the rehabilitation of the existing strip, ACSA has opted to build a new runway positioned 210 meters east of the current alignment and reoriented by 11 degrees. This realignment is a strategic necessity that unlocks land for future terminal eastward expansion and additional aircraft parking. Once completed, the airfield will be capable of hosting the world's largest commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-8.

Enhancing the Domestic and International Passenger Experience

Terminal infrastructure will receive a substantial portion of the investment, with R2.7-billion allocated to a new Domestic Arrivals facility and the extension of the Domestic Departures Terminal. This project aims to resolve capacity constraints that have persisted since the 2010 remodeling program, introducing more baggage reclaim belts and additional passenger loading bridges to eliminate the need for busing during poor weather. Simultaneously, an R853-million upgrade to the International Terminal will target operational pinch points in arrivals and departures to improve overall passenger flow and amenities.