Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (IATA: PLZ, ICAO: FAPE) serves Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), ZA. It has 12 scheduled routes to 4 destinations in 1 countries, operated by 6 airlines.
- Convenient Location and Quick Access: The airport is often referred to as the "ten-minute airport" due to its close proximity (5-10 minutes drive) to Gqeberha's city center, beachfront, and main suburbs, making arrivals and departures exceptionally easy.
- Efficiency and Ease of Navigation: Travelers appreciate the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport's compact, single-terminal layout, which makes it straightforward to navigate and allows for generally fast check-in and security processes, especially for domestic flights.
- Cleanliness and Facilities: The airport is frequently described as clean and well-maintained. It offers amenities like a VIP Lounge, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and is equipped for passengers with special needs.
- Car Rental Accessibility: Car hire facilities are readily available and are generally easy to locate and utilize, with car rental being a recommended transport option for exploring the surrounding region.
- Limited and Expensive Food Options: A recurring complaint is the scarcity and high cost of food and beverage options, particularly beyond security checkpoints. The Wimpy restaurant has been specifically mentioned for poor service and expensive offerings.
- Outdated Facilities and Staff Issues: Some reviews mention that certain facilities appear outdated and that staff can occasionally be unhelpful.
- Parking Payment Machine Problems: Travelers have reported issues with parking payment machines, which can cause delays when exiting the airport.
- Potential Flight Delays due to Infrastructure: As of late 2025, there have been reports of suspended Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) for Runway 26, which could lead to flight delays and diversions, particularly during inclement weather.
Bottom line: Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is generally viewed as an efficient and user-friendly regional airport, primarily praised for its accessibility and streamlined processes. While it effectively serves as a gateway to the Eastern Cape, improvements in dining variety and reliability of parking systems would enhance the traveler experience.
Routes from PLZ
4 nonstop destinations · 6 airlines.
Airlines at PLZ
6 carriers operate scheduled departures.
Route Network Map
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Airport routes
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) offers 12 flight routes operated by 6 airlines. Major carriers include Safair, South African Airlink, FSK and others. Popular destinations from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) include OR Tambo Int'l, Cape Town Int'l, King Shaka Int'l, Lanseria.
Traveler reviews & tips
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Common questions about PLZ
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from PLZ?
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport has 12 scheduled routes to 4 destinations in 1 countries, operated by 6 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport?
6 carriers operate scheduled departures, including Safair, South African Airlink, FSK.
Where is Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport located?
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is located in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), ZA, at an elevation of 226 ft. Its IATA code is PLZ and ICAO code is FAPE.