Port Elizabeth Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Port Elizabeth Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

August 18, 2019 - last modified on November 18, 2024

Port Elizabeth Airport (FAPE/PLZ) is the primary airport serving the city of the same name. In 2018, PLZ handled about 1,7 million passengers, making it the 5th busiest airport in South Africa according to passenger numbers, just behind Johannesburg’s Lanseria Airport.

PLZ is located 3km south of the center of the city and about 5km to the west of the beachfront, the primary area for tourists. Port Elizabeth is located at the end of the “Garden Route”, a scenic driving route which begins in Cape Town and runs approximately 700km all the way to Port Elizabeth. In addition, the city is within a 2-3 hour drive to numerous 5-star private game reserves, as well as Addo Elephant National Park. This means that if you are coming on a game viewing holiday to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa instead of the Kruger National Park, chances are you will fly into PLZ.

The airport has a number of good photo locations and allows one to get some nice photos of the domestic traffic in South Africa. Therefore, a visit to this airport is most definitely worthwhile if you are in the area and would like some different angles compared to the normal shots you would get at JNB.

All the major South African domestic carriers have operations at PLZ with a variety of their various fleet types, except for Kulula, which unfortunately does not operate to PLZ. This means you will have to chase their fleet at other airports around the country. However, PLZ is the only airport in South Africa where you can get photos of the elusive BidAir Cargo, as their Boeing 737-300 freighters regularly make day stops there during the week. The traffic is split over a number of “rush hours” during the course of the day. The first busy period is from about 07:30 to 10:30. The second period is a lunchtime rush from 12:30-13:30, with no flights scheduled between the two busy periods. Then from 14:55 onwards, the traffic starts to pick up again until sunset. Also at the airport are two former aircraft of the South African Air Force (SAAF), a Piaggio P-166S Albatross and an Aermacchi MB-326 Impala. These are both easily photographed and are both kept in very good condition. Pinned on the map is an Engen petrol station where you can park and walk to shoot these two aircraft. The two planes on display are no longer there.

There is also a small SAAF Museum branch on the south side of the airport which is worth a visit if you have the time. The museum’s opening hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 8am-3pm, Saturday from 9am-3pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

Written by Tim Brandt (local spotter). Last change: April 2023.

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	2.040m (6.693 ft) Asphalt
17/35	1.677m (5.502 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	There is one for all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed and not allowed either.
Car/Public Transport	Not needed if you are staying on the airport premesis and using spots 1-2. If you are staying at a hotel off the airport property or using the other spots then it is strongly recommended.
Restrooms	Can be found in the terminal as well as at the Engen petrol station just outside the airport entrance.
Drinks/Food	There are a few restaurants in the terminal, otherwise outside there is a restaurant called “The Aviator”, which is situated next to the Engen petrol station, underneath the Impala on a plinth.
Hotels	There is a budget Road Lodge just outside the terminal, otherwise there are plenty of better accommodation options on the beachfront, only a 10 minute drive from the airport.
Season	The best light conditions are in autumn/winter from April-September, however the weather is most consistently good in summer from November-March.
Runway Usage
08/26	The primary runway for arrivals and departures. Used 99% of the time. The wind is often variable so neither end is used more often than the other.
17/35	Crosswind runway only used in exceptional circumstances.

	Spot #1 – General Aviation – Arrivals & departures on runway 08/26 as well as aircraft taxiing and planes parked in the GA area.
WHERE	By car: Drive from the Engen petrol station towards the Road Lodge hotel. Turn left at the stop street with the speed bumps. Drive another 50m then turn right at the next stop street. Drive another 150m until you see a sign saying “main security access”. Turn left into that road and park in any vacant parking bay. Then walk through a metal gate to the right hand side of the main gate that would put you airside at the airport. This metal gate is right next to a building that belongs to a helicopter training company. Walk through this gate and you will be in the General Aviation area of the airport. Please be extremely careful of aircraft movements as there are active flight schools here with aircraft and helicopters often taxiing around. Walking: Walk out of the terminal and turn left. Walk along the path past Woodford Car rental and then through a small pedestrian gate. This will then put you in the parking lot as described above. Follow the same way as by car and please be mindful of the above warning.

WHAT	Arrivals & departures on runway 08/26 as well as aircraft taxiing and planes parked in the GA area.

TIME	Taxiway & runway: Summer: 11am until sunset. Winter: 9am to sunset. Parked aircraft: All day long, depending on how they are parked.

MISC.	For the runway and taxiway shots, they are taken through the airside gate which is generally always open. Please stand a minimum of 20m away from the gate at all times, or else security will come and reprimand you. The opening of the gate is more than wide enough for taxiway shots as well as for planes on the runway. Beware of heat haze for the runway shots in summer, when temperatures often exceed 30degs Celsius. Toilets are next to the fuel bay at East Coast Air. Also, the Madiba Bay School of Flight has a balcony that you can ask to use. This gives you elevation above the fence for runway shots and is also a nice place to relax in the shade between aircraft movements. There are toilets in the flight school if needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	Parked aircraft in GA area: depends on what you want. Taxiway: Approx. 50mm for an A320. Runway: 150-300mm. A320: 160mm; RJ85: 200mm

	Spot #2 – Wimpy Restaurant – Arrivals & departures on runway 08/26 as well as taxiing aircraft.
WHERE	From the check-in area, take the stairs up a floor. The entrance to the Wimpy is clearly visible. Ask for a table against the window if possible.

WHAT	Aircraft taxiing to the gate or to the active runway, as well as arrivals and departures on runway 08/26.

TIME	Summer: 11am until sunset. Winter: 9am to sunset.

MISC.	It is a good spot if you want to have some lunch and still take some photos. Beware that photos are taken through glass that is often rather dirty. The restaurant can also be very busy during peak times so beware as a window seat may not be available.

FOCAL LENGTH	Taxiway: 60-120mm. Runway: 150-300mm.

No samples available as it’s the same sight as the previous location.

	Spot #3 – Billboard – Arrivals runway 26
WHERE	When exiting the airport, turn right onto Allister Miller Drive, following the sign towards Summerstrand. Drive approximately 800m down Allister Miller Drive until you get to a traffic circle with a billboard on the right hand side of the road. Turn right at this traffic circle and park your car on the grass.

WHAT	Aircraft on final approach to runway 26.

TIME	Summer: 11am until sunset. Winter: 9am to sunset.

MISC.	There is nothing here, so take what you need with you. Be careful of heat haze in summer. You can also shoot departures off runway 08 here, but the aircraft will be too high for any decent shots.

FOCAL LENGTH	CRJ200: 210mm; 737-800: 140mm

	Spot #4 – Humerail – Arrivals runway 26
WHERE	From the terminal: Turn right onto Allister Miller Drive and drive all the way until the intersection with La Roche Drive/Forest Hill Road. Turn left onto Forest Hill Rd and drive until you get to the intersection with Walmer Boulevard. Turn right and follow the road until the big intersection with the M4 highway/Humewood Rd. Turn right onto Humewood Rd and follow that road for approx. 500m until you get to the intersection with Perrott Avenue. Turn right and drive all the way up the hill. You will get to a fork in the road at the end and turn left onto Thekla Crescent. Park the car anywhere along this street as it is very quiet and choose the angle that best suits you.

WHAT	Aircraft on final approach to runway 26.

TIME	Summer: 11am until sunset. Winter: 9am to sunset.

MISC.	This spot is included because it is close to a number of hotels and is quick to get to if you are in a hurry, unlike the spots in the terminal or the General Aviation area. There are no facilities nearby, so be sure to take some food and drink with you. If needed, there is a Spar supermarket about 500m away down the hill to buy the necessary supplies.

FOCAL LENGTH	150-250mm