Cheap Flights to King Phalo Airport (ELS)

King Phalo Airport (IATA: ELS, ICAO: FAEL) serves East London — officially Buffalo City — in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Owned and operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the airport is located 9 kilometres west of the East London city centre and handles between 20 and 30 flights daily, welcoming approximately 620,000 passengers annually with a terminal capacity of up to 1 million per year.

The airport has a long history, beginning in 1927 when Lieutenant Colonel Alister Miller — the aviation pioneer who later established Union Airways, the forerunner of South African Airways — persuaded the East London town council to establish a municipal aerodrome at Woodbrook. The airport moved to its current site in 1965, and the terminal was completed in 1966 under the name Ben Schoeman Airport, named after the then Minister of Transport. It was renamed East London Airport in 1994, and on 23 February 2021 received its current name, King Phalo Airport — part of the same round of Eastern Cape renamings that saw Port Elizabeth become Gqeberha and the airport there become Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.

The airport is named after King Phalo kaTshiwo (c.1702–1755), the paramount king of the Xhosa nation from approximately 1728 until his death. During King Phalo’s reign, the Xhosa nation underwent its most defining structural transformation — when faced with having married two royal brides of equal status simultaneously, the resulting dilemma led to the formal establishment of both the Great House (AmaGcaleka) and the Right Hand House (AmaRharhabe), dividing the Xhosa kingdom into two royal lines that persist to this day. King Phalo is therefore one of the most pivotal figures in Xhosa history and a deeply significant name for an airport serving the Eastern Cape heartland.

In 2016, East London Airport was voted the fastest growing airport in South Africa, recording a near 19% increase in passenger traffic. FlySafair launched a direct route from Lanseria International Airport to ELS in November 2025, further expanding connectivity to Gauteng. ACSA’s R21.7 billion investment programme includes terminal upgrades at King Phalo Airport, with departure lounge expansion, security checkpoint relocation, and improved retail space scheduled through 2027.

Popular flight routes to East London Airport include Johannesburg to East London, Cape Town to East London, and Durban to East London.

King Phalo Airport (East London Airport) offers a compact but practical selection of shops and dining options across its single terminal building, with check-in and arrivals on the ground floor and the departures lounge, shops, and food outlets on the first floor.

Shops at King Phalo Airport include: footwear store, mobile phone and accessories retailer, sweets and snacks, and convenience essentials for travellers.

Food and drink at East London Airport: The departures terminal on the first floor has a selection of fast food outlets, a pub, and cafés — enough for a comfortable wait before your flight.

Services at King Phalo Airport include: ATMs, car rental desks, and Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

Always observe baggage restrictions before purchasing at the airport, and note that all shops are located before security — once you pass through to the gates, no further retail is available.

King Phalo Airport offers a solid range of facilities for a regional airport, with recent and ongoing upgrades improving the passenger experience.

Lounges at King Phalo Airport (East London Airport):

• South African Airways Lounge — for qualifying SAA passengers
• Bidvest Premier Lounge — open to all passengers for an entrance fee, with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and beverages, and Wi-Fi
• ACSA VIP Room — located in the departures terminal, operated by Airports Company South Africa

General facilities at King Phalo Airport include:

• ATMs
• Viewing deck
• Public telephones
• Restrooms with baby-changing facilities
• Chapel and prayer rooms
• First aid facilities
• Car rental desks (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Tempest — all in the arrivals hall)
• Disabled access throughout — the airport is fully wheelchair accessible
• Wi-Fi throughout the terminal

Ongoing ACSA upgrades (through 2027) include departure lounge expansion, security checkpoint relocation, and enhanced ablution facilities — all aimed at improving passenger flow as traffic volumes grow.

Accommodation near King Phalo Airport (East London Airport) is well-distributed across the city, with several options offering airport shuttle services and easy access to the beachfront.

Splendid Inn King David

This 3-star hotel is a 15-minute drive from King Phalo Airport, located close to the East London beachfront. Amenities include an airport shuttle, daily housekeeping, conference facilities, laundry service, multilingual staff, and a restaurant and bar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Premier Hotel East London ICC

This upmarket 4-star hotel is a 15-minute drive from the airport and is connected to the East London International Convention Centre. Amenities include beach access, a full-service spa, outdoor pool, breakfast, fitness centre, business centre, airport shuttle, restaurant, and bar. Free Wi-Fi and parking are included.

The Paralian

This 3-star guesthouse with a rooftop terrace is a 15-minute drive from King Phalo Airport (East London Airport), offering a more intimate and characterful stay than a chain hotel. Amenities include an airport shuttle, laundry facilities, porter/bellhop service, and a café. Free full breakfast, free Wi-Fi in the lobby, and free parking are included.

There are no foreign exchange services located within King Phalo Airport (East London Airport) itself. The nearest foreign exchange options are available in the East London city centre and surrounding areas, approximately a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Most exchange bureaus in South Africa allow you to purchase foreign currency up to 60 days before your departure date.

The following documents are required to purchase foreign exchange in South Africa:

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel arrangements (flight tickets and accommodation bookings)
• Original ID document or temporary resident permit
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old)

ATMs are available inside the terminal building for cash withdrawals in South African Rand.

King Phalo Airport (East London Airport) offers safe and secure parking for both short-term and long-term stays, with open and covered options available.

Parking options at East London Airport include:

• Open car park for short and medium stays
• Shaded parking bays
• Lock-up garages for long-term parking

Expanded parking facilities are included in ACSA’s current upgrade programme for King Phalo Airport. Both cash and card payments are accepted. Given the airport’s modest size, parking is straightforward and all bays are within easy walking distance of the terminal.