25 interns from WC govt initiative deployed to CTIA to assist with BMA operations
The CTIA is one of South Africa's busiest ports of entry.
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The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
New Cape Winelands Airport a step closer to taking off
Plans for Cape Town's long-anticipated second international airport have reached a significant milestone, with the formal submission of an Environmental Authorisation (EA) application, bringing the Cape Winelands Airport project closer to reality. The announcement was made at a recent aviation networking event at Groot Phesantekraal Wine Estate in Durbanville, where industry leaders, government officials, and developers gathered to discuss the project's momentum and its regional implications. The proposed airport is being driven by a consortium of aviation industry veterans. According to Managing Director Deon Cloete, the EA application marks the culmination of five years of groundwork and paves the way for regulatory decisions expected before the end of 2025. 'We have officially submitted the EA application,' Cloete confirmed. 'This is a major step forward, and we are optimistic about the outcome.' The Cape Winelands Airport is planned for the Joostenberg area in the city's northern suburbs – a location selected for its strategic value, access to key transport routes, and potential to ease pressure on Cape Town International Airport. The airport aims to accommodate over five million passengers annually by 2050, according to Cloete, and funding talks are already underway. 'A dedicated finance team is currently evaluating offers to secure the long-term viability of the project,' he said. Urban experts see the new airport as critical for Cape Town's fast-growing population. Jeremy Wiley of the Western Cape Property Development Forum noted that the city is on track to become a megacity, with more than 10 million residents expected by 2050. 'Cape Town's growth is accelerating. Infrastructure needs to keep up,' said Wiley. 'This project shows leadership is responding with foresight.' Mikhail Manuel, speaking on behalf of the City's Urban Mobility Committee, described the Joostenberg node as a zone of imminent economic expansion. 'This is more than a transport development. It's a trigger for real investment, job creation, and spatial transformation over the next decade,' said Manuel. 'The City is fully committed.' While no official construction date has been confirmed, developers remain cautiously optimistic. The final environmental decision is expected by year-end, after which more concrete timelines will likely follow. If greenlit, the Cape Winelands Airport could mark a pivotal shift in the Western Cape's infrastructure and mobility landscape – unlocking new regional growth, tourism potential, and connectivity for South Africa's second-largest city. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
FlySafair pilots strike: Mediation process begins amid flight cancellations
Travelers face uncertainty at Cape Town International Airport as FlySafair's check-in counters and grounded planes reflect the ongoing pilot strike, with many flights canceled on July 21, 2025, amid wage disputes and demands for better working conditions. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media AS the FlySafair pilot's strike enters day two, the deadlock between management and trade union Solidarity now forms part of a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) process. On Monday afternoon Solidarity said it welcomed FlySafair's decision to participate in the mediation process as requested by the CCMA, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. Solidarity said approximately 90% of FlySafair's pilots affiliated with the union declared their willingness to strike for one day and in response, FlySafair indicated that they would lock out the pilots for a period of seven days. A number of flights were cancelled at Cape Town International Airport due to the pilot's strike. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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FlySafair Monday morning said its hands were tied after the company received last-minute updates from certain pilots informing the carrier that they would not make it to work on Monday morning, forcing the cancellation of at least 26 flights. In an interview with IOL at the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer for FlySafair, said the interruption of flights is regrettable and has left some passengers stranded. "What we are experiencing at the moment is that we have an industrial action on the part of our pilots, they have embarked on a stay-away strike which started today. They have deemed it to happen for two weeks. "Unfortunately, we had a number of commitments from a number of pilots to be able to cover our schedule today. Late last night, we received information from several of them, that they would be unable to fulfil their duties. As a result, we have had to cancel 26 of 174 flights today. So there has been cancellations which we apologise very deeply to our customers who have been stranded. Unfortunately, our hands are tied in this regard, because of the industrial action that is going on," he said. As an intervention, Gordon told IOL that Flysafair teams were assisting customers, and in some instances giving refunds. "Our teams are here and available to assist as much as they possibly can. We have booked passengers on other flights in the future, and with public carriers, where we have that available. Where that is not an option, we are issuing immediate refunds as quickly as we can," said Gordon. "We continue to approach them (the negotiations) with good faith. At this stage, we are still quite far apart. Unfortunately, the unions' demands are very high. They have been speaking about a demand of a 10 percent increase in salaries," said Gordon. "Actually, when one considers the full cost-to-company, that's more than 20.1 percent, which at the back of R1.8 to R2 million salary, which puts pilots within the top one percent of earners in this country, you can understand that it is just an untenable position." According to Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of public industry at Solidarity, there are still doubts about whether FlySafair is approaching the situation with the necessary urgency. 'FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out will be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price. 'Still, FlySafair has indicated that they are willing to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,' said Cronjé. Cape Times
The South African
14-07-2025
- The South African
Cape Town International Airport named best in the WORLD
In a landmark moment for South Africa's tourism and aviation sectors, Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) has been ranked the best airport in the world, according to the newly released AirHelp Score 2025. The prestigious ranking, which evaluates airports on on-time performance, customer experience, and quality of service, awarded CTIA an overall score of 8.57 – placing it ahead of some of the globe's most renowned airports. Cape Town scored 8.6 for punctuality and an impressive 8.7 for passenger experience, highlighting the airport's commitment to operational excellence and warm hospitality. 'This one hits different,' commented one traveller, echoing the sentiments of many who described their CTIA arrival as friendly, smooth, and stress-free. CTIA outperformed major international hubs, including: Hamad International Airport (Qatar) (Qatar) Riyadh King Khaled International Airport (Saudi Arabia) (Saudi Arabia) Brasília International Airport (Brazil) (Brazil) Muscat International Airport (Oman) (Oman) Salt Lake City International Airport (USA) While many global airports have struggled with efficiency and service consistency, Cape Town International has distinguished itself through timely operations, clean facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere – offering travellers an ideal start or end to their journeys. Framed by Table Mountain, close to vineyards and penguin-lined beaches, CTIA is more than an airport – it's the gateway to one of the world's most iconic destinations. The win comes as a boost for South Africa's tourism industry, reinforcing its global appeal and positioning Cape Town as a top-tier travel hub in 2025. The AirHelp Score is one of the most comprehensive global rankings of airports, based on data from passengers and independent metrics. It reflects how airports perform under pressure while delivering a superior experience. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
