Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ)
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), ZA 🇿🇦 Large International Airport Scheduled Service Big Airport
ICAO
FAPE
IATA
PLZ
Elevation
226 ft
Region
ZA-EC
Local Time
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GPS Code: FAPE
Local Code: Not available
Location: -33.984901° N, 25.6173° E
Continent: Africa
Type: Large International Airport
Keywords: H F Verwoerd Airport Port Elizabeth International Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Recent traveler reviews for Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha indicate a generally positive experience, often highlighted by the airport's efficiency and convenient location. While praised for its compact size and quick processing, some travelers note areas for improvement, particularly regarding dining options and occasional parking issues. The airport has also recently been recognized as a top regional airport in Africa.
What Travelers Love
- 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.
Common Complaints
- 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- Outdated Facilities and Staff Issues: Some reviews mention that certain facilities appear outdated and that staff can occasionally be unhelpful.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.
Overall, 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.
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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, South African Airways and others. Popular destinations from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) include OR Tambo Int'l, Cape Town Int'l, King Shaka Int'l and Lanseria.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | B738 | Safair | 108 flights · 565 mi | |
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | A320 | South African Airways | 85 flights · 565 mi | |
| Cape Town Int'l | CPT |
Cape Town | B738 | Safair | 77 flights · 402 mi | |
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | E295 | South African Airlink | 69 flights · 565 mi | |
| King Shaka Int'l | DUR |
Durban | E135 | South African Airlink | 48 flights · 442 mi | |
| King Shaka Int'l | DUR |
Durban | B738 | Safair | 33 flights · 442 mi | |
| Cape Town Int'l | CPT |
Cape Town | E295 | South African Airlink | 20 flights · 402 mi | |
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | CRJ1 | CemAir | 19 flights · 565 mi | |
| Lanseria | HLA |
Lanseria | B738 | Safair | 12 flights · 573 mi | |
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | B737 | TAAG Angola Airlines | 2 flights · 565 mi | |
| Cape Town Int'l | CPT |
Cape Town | — | FSK | 1 flight | |
| OR Tambo Int'l | JNB |
Johannesburg | — | FSK | 1 flight |
Top Airlines
Operating at Chief Dawid Stuurman International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Safair
SFR
/ FA
|
4 | 230 | 4 | Jun 1, 2026 |
South African Airlink
LNK
/ 4Z
|
3 | 137 | 3 | Jun 1, 2026 |
South African Airways
SAA
/ SA
|
1 | 85 | 1 | Jun 1, 2026 |
CemAir
KEM
/ 5Z
|
1 | 19 | 1 | May 27, 2026 |
TAAG Angola Airlines
DTA
/ DT
|
1 | 2 | 1 | Dec 11, 2025 |
|
FSK
FSK
|
2 | 2 | 2 | Apr 25, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
08/26 |
7087 ft | 151 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
17/35 |
5502 ft | 151 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 120.4 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 112.9 MHz |
| CLNC | Clearance Delivery | 122.1 MHz |
| GTE | APRON | 122.65 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.1 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Metered taxis are available directly outside the terminal building. Additionally, popular ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt operate from the airport, providing convenient pick-up and drop-off services.
Rental Cars
Several major car rental agencies have service desks located within the arrivals hall of the terminal. Companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Tempest Car Hire, and Sixt. Pre-booking your vehicle online is highly recommended for better rates and guaranteed availability.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public bus or train services connecting to the airport. The primary modes of transport for travelers are taxis, ride-hailing services, or rental cars. Some hotels and private shuttle companies may offer pre-arranged transfer services.