Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University have signed a partnership agreement to support research, innovation and skills development linked to the airport’s planned expansion.
The partnership will initially create research opportunities for master’s students in Stellenbosch University’s engineering management programme. Collaboration areas include engineering, aviation, transport and logistics with students conducting applied research linked to the airport’s development and operations.
“The airport expansion presents a unique long-term opportunity to connect academia and industry in a way that creates meaningful economic and educational impact,” said Deon Cloete, Managing Director of Cape Winelands Airport.
“By working closely with Stellenbosch University, we are creating a platform that will benefit the aviation sector, students and the broader regional economy.”
Beyond student research, the agreement also provides a framework for closer collaboration between the university and the airport on future engineering, transport and sustainability projects as the development progresses.
The partnership comes as Cape Winelands Airport prepares for a major expansion. Located a few kilometres northeast of Durbanville in the Western Cape, it currently serves as a general aviation facility and a popular base for flight training. Plans are underway to expand the airport into a commercial aviation precinct focused on sustainability and modern infrastructure at an estimated cost of around R8 billion (US$485 million). The project is expected to become one of the Western Cape’s largest long-term infrastructure developments supporting 35 000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and expansion and more than 100 000 during the airport’s first two decades of operation.
