The R500-million, first phase of the new purpose-built general aviation and turboprop base, Atlantic Aerodrome, is set to open its doors in the Swartland, in the Western Cape, in September.

The main civil contractor appointed for the project is Lulenco Plant Hire, with Exeo Khokela Civil Engineering Construction involved in the civil engineering construction.

NK Development Solutions has been appointed as the builder, together with various other specialist contractors.

Located 40 minutes from Cape Town, the new facility is being created to respond to the growing demand for dedicated aviation infrastructure in the Western Cape, where rapid growth in general aviation has outpaced available hangarage and suitable facilities, says Atlantic Aerodrome founder Rihan Kleyn.

Atlantic Aerodrome looks to house aircraft owners, operators, flight training organisations, charter companies and aviation businesses.

The facility will aim to provide a turnkey solution to aircraft owners by combining secure enclosed hangarage with reliable operational support, such as refuelling, cleaning and ground handling.

Hangar options vary from 225 m² for individual aircraft owners to 1 800 m² for larger operators, flight schools and charter services.

All hangars feature 24/7 biometric security and direct airside access, as well as a modern enclosed environment.

The airfield includes a grooved asphalt runway 02/20 (884 m, extended to 1 524 m in later phases), full LED lighting for 24/7 operations, and a planned GNSS instrument approach.

The facility is targeting an ACR/PCR rating of 23/F/B/X/T.

The centrepiece of the development will be a 1 200 m² two-level clubhouse with restaurants, VIP lounges, pilot facilities, event spaces and a family-friendly kids’ play park.

“We are not just building another airfield,” says Kleyn. “We are creating a dedicated home for general aviation in the Western Cape, a place with the infrastructure, services and community that aircraft owners, operators, pilots and aviation businesses have been looking for.”

Phase 1 opens in September with core facilities, hangars, fixed-base operator services, clubhouse and guest accommodation.

Phase 2 will focus on the continued expansion of the aerodrome, including extending the runway, developing additional hangar capacity for commercial operators, expanding the FBO services, adding further helicopter hangars and helipad/heliport infrastructure and increasing the guest accommodation offering on site.