Cape Town's New $28M Aerodrome Opens Doors in 2026

Imagine running a flight school and learning your airport home of years is closing, leaving you scrambling to find space for your planes and students. That nightmare scenario facing 37 aircraft owners and four flight schools near Cape Town just got a hopeful ending.

Atlantic Aerodrome, a new privately funded facility near the N7 turnoff to Atlantis, will open its first phase in September 2026 with an 884-meter runway, hangars, and full support services. Founders Rihan Kleyn and Shane Harrison started planning just to relocate their own two aircraft but expanded when they learned Cape Winelands Airport would close during its conversion to a commercial hub.

"These aren't just recreational users. These are businesses," Kleyn told Daily Maverick. Flight schools, charter companies, and maintenance operations need secure hangars and reliable infrastructure to survive and grow.

The facility directly addresses a critical shortage forcing some owners to hangar aircraft as far away as Saldanha or settle for substandard facilities. Cape Town Flight Training Centre has already committed to moving to Atlantic, where Kleyn plans to limit capacity to two fixed-wing schools to prevent the overcrowding plaguing other airfields.

The location offers an unexpected bonus for student pilots. Sitting in the FAD200 general flying area means trainees can start practicing immediately after takeoff instead of wasting 20 minutes reaching designated training zones.

Hangars will range from 225 to 1,800 square meters, with options for individual owners or shared spaces that cost about 30% of private hangars while including cleaning, refueling, and pre-flight prep. A later phase will extend the runway to 1,524 meters to accommodate larger aircraft.

The Ripple Effect

The developers want Atlantic to become more than an aviation facility. Plans include a two-level clubhouse with restaurants, bars, event space, and a children's play area open to the public.

Live music, aviation events, and an annual air show could turn the aerodrome into a community destination while introducing young people to aviation careers. The facility sits about 40 minutes from central Cape Town, making it accessible for day trips and events.

The National Airspace Committee supported the proposal in May, and neighboring aviation stakeholders have provided letters of backing. The final aerodrome license from South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority is expected before the September opening.

Future phases may add helicopter facilities and additional hangars based on tenant demand, creating room for the Western Cape's aviation community to grow rather than scatter.

"We're creating a dedicated home for general aviation in the Western Cape," Kleyn said, and dozens of displaced operators are counting on it.