If you trapped at the Port Elizabeth Airport for few days then do not worry. Just get chill and explore the city where this airport lies. All you need is to book a room close to the airport and then spend your time by visiting nearby attractions. This was earlier known as H. F. Verwoerd Airport and is located at Port Elizabeth in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Well, by the name you can judge that this perhaps linked with the ancient times. So before that, let me give you all the information of this airport right from its establishment. Yes, this airport was established in the year 1929 and the first flight was arrived here from Cape Town in the year 1917. This airport was firstly established by Lieutenant Colonel Miller.
This airport was the only formal one that was opened after nine years in the year 1936 with a single runway. If you start digging up the history of this airport you will find that today it has developed a lot. Today, this airport has three different runways and also thirteen aircraft parking bays are available on the apron and the terminal building with a measurement of about 8,700 square metres. Still, the runways are about to extend further so that it could suit the 2010 FIFA World Cup that is gonna held here.
The airlines that are operated from this airport are very less. They are 1Time, Airlink, British Airways that are operated by Comair, Kulula, South African Airways and South African Express. Besides this, there are Non-directional beacon – PD372.5, VHF omnidirectional range – PVE112.9 and Automatic Terminal Information Service – 126.80.
The code of this airport is PLZ and it has only one Terminal. It has its own website as well and that is www.airports.co.za. This airport lies in the boundaries of Port Elizabeth with a distance of about 5 kilometre towards the west of the Capital Business District and is at the southwest of Algoa Bay with a distance of 3 kilometre. You can reach to the airport from the city centre through M11 from Humewood into Alister Miller Drive. After that you will find the Terminal on the left side of the road.
Many hotels could be found at the airport or close to it. Close to the beachfront you will get several hotels and guesthouses where you can book a room to stay. City Lodge Port Elizabeth and Paxton Hotel are few among them where you can book your accommodation. You will be provided with the ground transportation by local taxis. The airport has parking areas where you can park your car and some car rental offices are also available at the airport. For parking you have many options like short-term and long-term car parking, covered parking and also lock-up garages. All of these parking facilities are available at the front of the terminal building.
To hire a car you have many companies available at the airport like Alisa, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Imperial and Tempest. Besides this, shuttle services are also available at the Arrivals hall. Just you have to book it in advance or will get on request. Outside the departures hall of the airport you will get metered taxis. And if you have any queries related to these things then go to the information desk in the arrivals hall and make you satisfied. From this desk you can book for the hotels and sightseeing excursions.
Here you will get all the basic facilities just like the other airports in the world. For money and communications you have ATM between the Arrivals and Departures halls, bureau de change at the information desk, post box in the departures hall and telephone in the arrivals and departures halls. For eating and drinking go to the restaurant on the first floor of departures hall and cafes are available at the arrivals and departures halls. You can also do a bit shopping at the airport. Some of the shops along with the gift and sweet shops could be found in the departures hall. Trolleys for your luggages are also available. Besides these, other facilities like baby changing in the ladies toilets at arrivals and departures halls could also be found.
For Conference and Business facilities head to the Landing Strip conference centre which is situated on the first floor of the main terminal building. You can also book a conference room in Aero Park Block B that is situated from the arrivals hall with a distance of about 200 metre and has 25 to 30 people’s seat. You can hire the room and also televisions, videos, overhead projectors and white board all are available here. In fact, disabled travellers also get basic facilities like wheelchair, toilets and lifts. The disabled travellers can contact the information desk for any assistance.
Port Elizabeth is a windy city and possess subtropical climate. You can experience light rain year round. This area is located between the winter rainfall that has Mediterranean climate zones of the Western Cape and summer rainfall regions of South Africa from the east. The summer seasons remain warm but have less humidity and winters are generally cool and mild.
Port Elizabeth is among the South Africa’s major tourist destinations where you can experience many fine beaches and other attractions. You can also experience many of the historical attractions that are connected by the Donkin Heritage Trail. A good example of it are Campanile which is a bell tower constructed in the year 1923. Besides this, few other attractions are the gardens at St George’s Park, the King George VI Art Gallery, the museum and oceanography room at Humewood and also the new Boardwalk waterfront complex.
You can also experience many game viewing sites bounding the city of Port Elizabeth like the well-known Addo Elephant Park situated at a distance of 72 kilometre towards the north and is close to the Zuurberg mountain range and National Park. This city is commonly referred as the watersports capital of South Africa and promotes many watersports events every year.
Visit the Algoa Bay and try scuba diving as it is a homed for it. Also try game fishing charters, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and many other activities at the city of Port Elizabeth. Also you must not miss the cruises at harbour that offers tours from sunset cruises to watch the Dolphins, whale and much other marine life. Other key attractions of this place are Bayworld, Market Square, Donkin Reserve and St George’s Park. So just fly high to the Port Elizabeth Airport and feel the difference.
