Port Elizabeth Airport Guide | Terminal, Map & Facilities (PLZ)
AIRPORT GUIDE (Terminal, Map, Facilities)
Complete guide to Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ). Terminal layout, facilities, check-in tips, parking and everything you need for a smooth visit to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.
Your Complete Guide to Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ)
Port Elizabeth Airport — officially Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (IATA: PLZ, ICAO: FAPE) — sits in the suburb of Walmer, approximately 5 km south of the Gqeberha city centre, Eastern Cape. Open 24 hours and operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), PLZ is one of the most compact and genuinely convenient major airports in the country — a single terminal building handling domestic, regional and international traffic, with car rental counters, a couple of restaurants, two lounges, and a layout you can navigate from car to gate in a matter of minutes.
The Terminal Building
PLZ has a single terminal, with departures and arrivals handled within the same compact structure. The terminal measures approximately 8,700 square metres and was substantially modernised in a project completed in June 2004, bringing capacity up to roughly 2 million passengers per year. Two asphalt runways serve the airport: 08/26, at 1,980 metres, and 17/35, at 1,677 metres, with 13 aircraft parking bays on the apron.
The layout flows in a straightforward sequence: arrive at the terminal, check in or drop bags at your airline’s counter, clear security, and proceed to the departure area. There is no inter-terminal transit required – gates are a short walk from check-in, and the building’s modest scale means you are never more than a few minutes from any single point inside it.
Key Facilities at PLZ
Restaurants and food: Mugg & Bean (coffee, breakfast and light meals), Primi Piatti (pizza and Italian-style dining), and the Mile High Pub on the upper floor, which offers runway views alongside drinks and pub food. A scattering of quick snack vendors operate in the ticketing area for travellers short on time. See our full restaurants, shops and lounges guide.
Lounges: The Bidvest Premier Lounge (pay-per-use, open to any passenger) and the SAA Premium Lounge (for qualifying SAA Voyager members and business class passengers, renovated in 2024). Full detail on our lounges page.
Shops: A handful of African curio and souvenir stores, a Sunglasses Hut outlet, a clothing store, a newsagent, and a couple of cellphone accessory shops. Several travel agencies and a visitor information centre also operate within the terminal.
Wi-Fi: Available throughout the terminal via AlwaysOn, though it is a paid service rather than free — you can register and pay online by credit card, or purchase a voucher at the Mugg & Bean counter for cash payment.
Car hire: Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt, First Car Rental, Tempest, Bidvest, Thrifty (Sani Car Hire) and Firefly all operate from counters in or near the arrivals hall — Hertz and Budget specifically have desks right at the baggage claim area for fast collection. Full guide on our car hire page.
ATMs and currency exchange: Available within the terminal for last-minute cash needs and currency exchange for international travellers.
Getting to PLZ
PLZ’s standout feature is its proximity to the city — approximately 5 km from the Gqeberha centre, earning it the nickname “the ten-minute airport.” Full driving directions, distances from every major suburb, and transport options are covered in our transport and location guide.
Airport Contact Details
Address: Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, Allister Miller Drive, Walmer, Gqeberha, 6001 Switchboard: +27 41 507 7348 Help desk: +27 41 507 7319 Flight information: 086 72 77 888 Official ACSA site: airports.co.za
FAQs — Port Elizabeth Airport Guide
FAQ A complete guide to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport / Port Elizebeth Airport – airlines, parking, facilities, transport options, charter services, check-in tips and more.
1. How many terminals does Port Elizabeth Airport have? One. PLZ operates a single terminal building handling domestic, regional and international flights.
2. Is there free Wi-Fi at Port Elizabeth Airport? No. Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal via the AlwaysOn network, but it requires payment — either online by credit card or via a voucher purchased at the Mugg & Bean counter.
3. What restaurants are at PLZ? Mugg & Bean, Primi Piatti, and the Mile High Pub (which has runway views from the upper floor), plus snack vendors in the ticketing area.
4. Does PLZ have lounges? Yes — the Bidvest Premier Lounge (open to all passengers via paid day pass) and the SAA Premium Lounge (for qualifying SAA passengers).
5. Is there car hire at the airport? Yes, with a strong selection of providers including Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt and several others, mostly located in or near the arrivals hall.
6. What size is the PLZ terminal? Approximately 8,700 square metres, following a major upgrade completed in June 2004.
7. How many runways does PLZ have? Two: runway 08/26 (1,980m) and runway 17/35 (1,677m).
8. Is PLZ open 24 hours? Yes, the airport operates 24 hours a day, though individual retail and food outlets follow their own operating hours.
9. Does PLZ have ATMs? Yes, ATMs and currency exchange facilities are available within the terminal.
10. Who manages Port Elizabeth Airport? Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the same operator responsible for OR Tambo, Cape Town International and King Shaka.
