Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport — Local services in Eastern Cape

Port Elizabeth International Airport, situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is a small yet efficiently managed airport that serves as a gateway to the picturesque coastal city of Port Elizabeth and its surrounding attractions. My recent experience at this airport left me with positive impressions.

The airport's relatively compact size ensures quick and convenient check-in and security processes. Although it primarily handles domestic flights, it still provides a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience, particularly for those exploring the Eastern Cape.

The terminal building, while not as grand as some major international airports, is modern, clean, and well-maintained. It offers several dining options, from cafes to sit-down restaurants, where you can enjoy a variety of local and international cuisine. Duty-free shops provide an opportunity to purchase South African products, including indigenous arts and crafts, making it a great place to pick up souvenirs.

Port Elizabeth International Airport's location is strategic, offering easy access to the city, the scenic Garden Route, and nearby wildlife reserves. The stunning coastal views from the airport's vicinity are an enticing preview of the natural beauty awaiting travelers in the region.

In conclusion, Port Elizabeth International Airport may not be as vast or busy as other airports, but it offers a comfortable and efficient experience for travelers exploring the Eastern Cape's wonders. It's a welcoming entry point to the friendly and captivating city of Port Elizabeth and the surrounding coastal and wildlife...

Unfortunately I could not rate this so called “International airport” with zero stars …only way to give a review is to award a star! This has got to be the worst ACSA airport in South Africa . Starting with the “pick up/ drop off and go” there is a log jamb of traffic trying to enter the area when one or more flights arrive simultaneously. Next, the Long Term secure parking is certainly not secure… the previous courtesy golf cart transportation of pax to and from the area which is situated +/- 500 m from the terminal, has been discontinued. The security lighting may work sometimes. The entrance or exit booms are invariably not working and when recently parking at night , the entrance boom was stuck in the open position and the ticket dispenser non functional I returned two days later and could not exit the parking without a ticket…after walking the 500 m there and back to the terminal I was told that it was my duty to have come to the ticket office and asked for a ticket!!!!I was then subjected to an interrogation and asked to supply proof of when and what time I parked. Then let’s look at the antiquated Parking Payment machines that are forever breaking down with illegible instructions ….the list just goes on and on …no water in the gents...

I'm not really sure how airports are rated, and haven't been in much airports such that I can give a detail review with comparison... however, been to King Shaka, East London & Cape Town, and PE would be at an average rating:

Service: Good service, with nice and friendly staff... not much to say there (so 4 star)

Building and Navigation: PE is not that big so navigation is not an issue, but regardless they have made sure that it much easier to move around, from check in to baggage drop, to boarding, everything just straight forward (so 5 star)

Boarding: Ther are no boarding bridges to the airplanes on all its gates, so we have to walk outside to get to the aircraft whether hot, raining or cold, and that's terrible (so 2 star), this is two since it's just a regional airport, otherwise I could be 1 star

Entertainment and convinience: not much entertainment and not much convinient store, just a few store with not much choices for people to have, got a glimpse of M&B, and nothing else... (so 1 star)

In conclusion, it should not be a categorized as an international Airport because it's not. So overall I give it 2,6 (3) star, since is supposed to be an "international airport"... if it were a regional airport I'd...