Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Eastern Cape's main international gateway serving Gqeberha.
- ›The airport was renamed from Port Elizabeth Airport to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in 2021.
- ›Chief Dawid Stuurman was a 19th-century Khoi resistance leader and the first known South African to be deported to Australia.
- ›The airport is operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
- ›It is situated approximately 5 km from the Gqeberha city centre.
- ›The airport serves as a key entry point for tourists visiting the Addo Elephant National Park and the Garden Route.
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, formerly known as Port Elizabeth Airport, serves Gqeberha — the Friendly City on South Africa's Algoa Bay. Renamed in 2021 to honour Khoikhoi resistance leader Chief Dawid Stuurman, the airport is the primary gateway to the Eastern Cape, connecting the Garden Route, safari country, and coastal destinations. It handles domestic trunk routes and limited international services, playing a vital commercial and tourism role for the region.
- Main Terminal — A single integrated terminal building handling all arrivals, departures, and check-in facilities for both domestic and international passengers.
- Metered taxis available at the designated rank outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt operate from the airport
- Airport shuttle services connecting to central Gqeberha and beachfront hotels
- Car rental desks inside the terminal including Avis, Hertz, Budget, and Europcar
- Private transfer companies bookable in advance for longer regional trips
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Port Elizabeth Wanderers
- Holiday Inn Gqeberha
- Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth
- City Lodge Hotel Port Elizabeth
- Ibis Styles Port Elizabeth
Inside the terminal, passengers can find a modest selection of cafés, light meal outlets, and grab-and-go options suitable for short layovers. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World, located a short drive away near Summerstrand, offers a wide range of restaurants if time permits before a flight. Gqeberha's beachfront strip and Newton Park suburb also feature well-regarded dining options for travellers arriving with time to explore.
- The terminal is compact and easy to navigate — allow around 60 to 90 minutes before departure for check-in and security.
- Uber and Bolt are generally cheaper and more reliable than metered taxis; ensure mobile data is active on arrival.
- The city is known as one of South Africa's windiest — pack a layer even in summer months.
- If renting a car, confirm whether your itinerary requires a cross-border permit, especially for trips into Lesotho or neighbouring countries.
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Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is an airport serving Gqeberha, a city in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. It was formerly known as H. F. Verwoerd Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport. The airport is located approximately two miles south of the city's central business district.
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