King Phalo Airport (ELS)

East London, ZA 🇿🇦 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FAEL

IATA

ELS

Elevation

435 ft

Region

ZA-EC

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: FAEL

Local Code: Not available

Location: -33.035599° N, 27.825899° E

Continent: Africa

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
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Departures
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What Travelers Say

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Online Reviews Summary

Traveler sentiment regarding King Phalo Airport (FAEL (ELS)) in East London, ZA, is mixed. While some passengers appreciate the airport's efficiency and the friendliness of its staff, many express significant concerns about its facilities and maintenance. The airport is rated around 4/5 stars for reliability, but frequently criticized for its neglected appearance and limited amenities.

What Travelers Love
  • Friendly and Helpful Staff: Many travelers praise the airport staff for being amazing, friendly, professional, and going above and beyond to assist passengers.
  • Efficient Travel Experience: Despite its limitations, some travelers find the airport provides a relatively smooth and efficient travel experience due to its smaller size, leading to less crowded terminals and faster processing.
  • Convenient Location and Parking: The airport is conveniently located about 7 km from downtown East London and offers a good amount of parking space. It is also well-equipped with rental car services.
Common Complaints
  • Poor Maintenance and Cleanliness: A recurring complaint highlights the airport's neglected state, with reports of broken TVs, missing ceiling boards, dirty conditions, and unkempt outdoor areas. Some describe the airport as a "dump" or "hell hole" due to lack of maintenance over several years.
  • Limited Facilities and Amenities: Travelers note the scarcity of dining and shopping options. Basic amenities like air conditioning are sometimes only available in paid lounges, leading to dissatisfaction. Boarding areas can become overcrowded and stuffy during peak holiday periods.
  • Flight Delays and Cancellations: In late 2024, significant flight delays and cancellations were reported due to unrenewed instrument flight procedures and adverse weather conditions. Passengers also reported a lack of transparency from airport management regarding these disruptions.
  • Delayed Morning Opening and Missing Luggage: There have been criticisms regarding delayed opening times in the mornings and incidents of missing luggage.

Overall, while King Phalo Airport serves as a vital link for the Eastern Cape region with friendly staff and a generally efficient process for its size, it faces significant challenges regarding facility maintenance, cleanliness, and passenger communication during disruptions. A significant upgrade appears to be needed to enhance the overall traveler experience.

Last updated: 22 hours ago

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AI-Generated: Compiled from publicly available reviews. May not be current or accurate.

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Airport Routes

King Phalo Airport (ELS) offers 7 flight routes operated by 3 airlines. Major carriers include Safair, South African Airlink and CemAir. Popular destinations from East London include OR Tambo Int'l, Cape Town Int'l, Lanseria and King Shaka Int'l.

Route Network Map

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Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

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Top Airlines

Operating at King Phalo Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
Safair
SFR / FA
4 246 4 Feb 6, 2026
1 60 1 Feb 6, 2026
CemAir
KEM / 5Z
2 21 2 Feb 3, 2026
Showing top 3 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
06/24 5200 ft 150 ft ASP Active Lighted
11/29 6362 ft 150 ft ASP Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
APP APP 120.1 MHz
ATIS ATIS 126.45 MHz
GTE APRON 122.65 MHz
TWR TWR 118.3 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
ELV East London VORTAC 114500 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Metered taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal. Ride-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, also operate at the airport and can be booked via their respective mobile apps.

Rental Cars

Several car rental agencies have counters located inside the terminal building's arrivals hall. Major companies operating at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Tempest Car Hire.

Public Transportation

There are no scheduled public bus or train services that directly connect to King Phalo Airport. The primary options for transport are taxis, ride-hailing, or rental cars. Some hotels and private companies may offer pre-booked shuttle services.

AI-Generated Content: This ground transportation information was compiled using AI from publicly available sources. Prices, schedules, and availability may change; please verify with official airport or transportation provider websites before traveling.

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Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.