Port Elizabeth Airport

Not Verified | Arrived 1pm from Cape Town and walked across tarmac to terminal. The terminal was a bit chaotic as far more arrivals than usual because of World Triathlon Championships. Our flight waited at nominated luggage belt and watched same luggage go around and around for 10 minutes without any being picked off, then we, and those passengers on the next belt, were told to swap belts and surprise, there was our luggage. Out the front door after picking up a handful of tourist brochures and maps and Avis was 50m away. From flight landing to driving away it was about 50 minutes and the airport is 5 minutes drive from the beach front and city centre. At any other time there would not have been the confusion but thousands of competitors and visitors arriving strained the services a bit. We drove to Cape Town so can't comment on departures.

Changes made for the World Cup have improved this airport from small and efficient to small and very slick. New access to departures security is welcome.

The Port Elizabeth airport is compact and well laid out and it is very convenient to the Summerstrand beach area. Car Hire is in a separate building across the entrance road which is close to the terminal but requires dodging traffic with everything in tow. Baggage retrieval seemed to take an extraordinary long time considering ours was the only arriving flight and the plane was sitting on the tarmac 50 meters away from the baggage claim but these things happen. Check in on return was polite and efficient and there is a modest selection of shops to pass the time waiting for departure but only on the street side of security.

Port Elizabeth airport is small and friendly. Best thing about it is that it is so close to the main seafront area - you can be on the beach about 5 minutes after leaving the airport if you want! Slight disadvantage once you are on the beach is that planes go right over your head! Also very close to CBD and the pleasant suburb of Walmer. PE known as the Friendly City and the airport gives it a good introduction.