Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (IATA: PLZ, ICAO: FAPE) serves as a convenient gateway for travelers heading to and from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), a city in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. Formerly known as H. F. Verwoerd Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport, this airport connects visitors to major South African cities while providing easy access to local transport options.
History and Development
Port Elizabeth Airport was established in 1929 in close proximity to the city. It was initially founded by Lieutenant Colonel Miller, who needed an airfield to operate his postal service between the city and Cape Town.
A historical highlight was the first flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in 1917, made by Major Allister Mackintosh Miller. At that time, this was considered a long-distance flight, and it heralded the start of the civil aviation industry in Port Elizabeth.
It was only officially opened some nine years later, in 1936, boasting a single runway, one hangar and a concrete apron.
During World War II, the airfield was extended to accommodate 42 Air School of the Royal Air Force as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and 6 Squadron South African Air Force on the southern and eastern sides of the field. Commercial operations were conducted from the northern side.
Read also: The Cosmopolitan City of Port Said
Construction of the permanent terminal buildings, runways and an air traffic control building began in 1950. The commercial operation was moved to an airfield at St Albans, some 25 km from the city centre, for the construction period. The new buildings were officially opened in 1955. These facilities served the community till 2000 when plans for a major terminal upgrade was drawn-up.
The separate arrivals and departures buildings were consolidated into a single facility with a central retail area linking the departures with arrivals creating a light friendly atmosphere. The modern terminal upgrade was completed in June 2004 allowing the airport to handle up to 2 million passengers a year.
In preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup runway 08/26 was going to be extended from 1,980m to 3,000m with a view to accommodating International flights, although this never happened.
Airport Infrastructure
The airport resides at an elevation of 226 feet (69 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways:
- 08/26 is 1,980 by 46 metres (6,496 ft × 151 ft)
- 17/35 is 1,677 by 46 metres (5,502 ft × 151 ft)
There are also 13 aircraft parking bays on the apron and the terminal building measures 8,700 square metres (94,000 sq ft).
Read also: Luxury Stay in Port Elizabeth
Airlines and Destinations
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport hosts a variety of airlines offering flights to numerous destinations.
Airlines and Destinations:
| Airline | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Airlink | Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg-O. R. |
| CemAir | Johannesburg-O. R. |
| FlySafair | Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg-Lanseria (begins 1 November 2025), Johannesburg-O. R. |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg-O. R. |
| BidAir Cargo | Johannesburg-O. R. |
Air Force Station Port Elizabeth is home to C Flight of 15 Squadron of the South African Air Force. It is a helicopter unit primarily tasked with maritime and landward search and rescue. There is also a branch of the South African Air Force Museum at the airport.
Services and Facilities
A number of hotels are present on or near the airport. Ground transport is provided by local taxis.
If you're planning on venturing out to nearby game reserves or exploring the beautiful surroundings, renting a car is highly recommended. Consider renting a car to explore nearby game reserves or the surrounding region due to limited public transport options within Port Elizabeth.
Read also: Current Operations at Apapa
Ensure you have all necessary items before going through security as food and drink options are limited post-security.
There is only one restaurant with a view of the apron, namely the Wimpy. I did not get a chance to sample the wifi facilities unfortunately.
🇿🇦Port Elizabeth International Airport (Chief Dawid Stuurman)✔️
Traveler Reviews and Tips
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport receives mixed reviews from travelers.
Some appreciate its quiet and clean environment with good snacks and coffee. Nice easy airport to navigate through, SAA Lounge is brilliant, clean and efficient. Can't fault this airport on anything. Car hire was a breeze to navigate to and to pick up. Very easy to commute. Nice central location from anywhere in the city you staying. Nice airport! Great assistance from the staff and also clean. Fantastic airport. Clean and efficient processes to get you in and out.
Others criticize the outdated facilities, poor management, and unhelpful staff. Honestly this Chief Dawid Stuurman airport is shocking and an embarrassment. They need to take a look at other airports and the facilities available. Additionally the cleanliness is appalling. Fairly small airport, neat tidy and never really busy unlike other airports around the world.
One reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the sushi quality but highlighted issues with parking payment machines. Despite being small, the airport efficiently serves passengers with limited food options beyond security.
The service is distressingly poor with far too many waitrons standing around doing nothing. Check-in was rather smooth, as was the drive to the airport which is merely 10 minutes away from most major areas in the city. The security check was a breeze as we were the last flight departing for the day so it was nice and quiet.
Be prepared for potential delays in exiting the airport if there are maintenance issues with payment machines or exit booms. If traveling internationally, allow extra time for check-out due to reported problems with parking payment machines.
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
