Wonderboom Airport Development Plans: Wonderboom National Airport, located north of Pretoria, is set for a major transformation - but not into an international airport. Instead, the City of Tshwane plans extensive upgrades aimed at boosting aviation, logistics, and tourism while keeping the airport under public ownership.
The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality confirmed that it will not sell or privatise Wonderboom Airport, despite its ongoing financial losses. Instead, the city intends to attract strategic partners and investors to support daily operations and ensure the airport’s long-term sustainability.
According to the MMC for Roads and Transport, Tlangi Mogale, the metro is currently in discussions with Airports Company South Africa to upgrade the airport and reintroduce commercial flights between Pretoria and Cape Town. These flights were discontinued in 2018 due to profitability challenges, but there is renewed optimism about bringing them back. Mogale also emphasised that “there are no plans to sell or privatise Wonderboom Airport.”
Comprehensive Wonderboom Airport Development Plans are expected to be finalised by December 2025, setting the foundation for Wonderboom’s evolution into a key logistics and economic hub for the region.
As part of the proposed upgrades, the airport will see significant infrastructure improvements. Plans include extending the main runway and adding a parallel secondary runway for general aviation operations, along with an expanded network of taxiways. New facilities will include a modern terminal building, a control tower, a multi-purpose aviation training centre, a diplomatic terminal, and cargo handling areas.
There’s also a proposal to integrate Wonderboom Airport with the Gautrain rail network and other public transport systems - a move that would greatly improve accessibility and connectivity for both travellers and businesses.
While Wonderboom may not become an international airport just yet, these upgrades signal an exciting new chapter in Pretoria’s aviation landscape - one focused on growth, efficiency, and positioning the city as a key player in regional logistics and air travel.
