The Durban King Shaka International Airport is the gateway to one of South Africa’s popular destinations, Durban. You can visit the Golden Mile, the Durban Beachfront and uShaka Marine World in Durban. The area is popular with South Africans throughout the year because of its warm climate and access to beautiful beaches in Ballito, Umhlanga and Margate. In this article, learn more about King Shaka International Airport near Durban, including its airport code, facilities, location and history.
Here are some tips to help you choose the best South Africa airport for your trip.
King Shaka International’s Airport Code
This airport near Durban’s IATA Airport Code is DUR. Its ICAO Airport Code is FALE. The public uses “KSIA” to refer to the airport, an acronym for King Shaka International Airport (KSIA). It is one of the best airports in Africa.
Flying to Durban via Johannesburg? Read more about the Johannesburg International Airport or Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg
Location of The King Shaka Airport
You can find the KSIA in La Mercy, an area that is about 35 km north of the Durban city centre. Some people call the airport the La Mercy Airport.
Learn more about Durban’s weather and what to wear when you visit this city.
KSIA Terminals
The KSIA has two terminals, namely, a domestic and an international terminal. You can find the passenger terminal in the southern part of the airport. It is split into two levels. Departures are on the upper floor, and arrivals are on the lower floor. The airport’s total floor area is 102,000 m2 or 1,100,000 square feet. The terminal can handle 7.5 million passengers annually.
The check-in concourse on the upper floor has 72 check-in counters and 18 self-service kiosks. You can also find the airlines’ ticket offices on this floor.
There are 34 aircraft parking bays and 16 jet bridges at the KSIA.
The arrivals area is on the lower floor and features a baggage reclaim hall with 5 conveyors used for international and domestic flights.
The retail shops are on the lower floor.
The airport terminal has no public viewing deck.
Popular Flights to And from King Shaka Airport
Local and international travellers use KSIA to access South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is the third-busiest South African airport. Although it is an international airport, it is a key airport for domestic flights in South Africa. It is the third leg of the “Golden Triangle” with Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The KSIA handles 7 passenger and 2 cargo airlines delivering domestic air services. In 2022, the airport handled 60,273 passengers.
The most popular flights to the KSIA are domestic flights between KSIA and Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lanseria, East London and Nelspruit.
Learn more about the attractions of the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Facilities and Shops at KSIA
The airport has several seating areas with comfortable seats.
Additional services and several shops for its passengers include:
- Pharmacy: Link Pharmacy
- Banking facilities: FNB ATM, Nedbank ATM, Absa ATM, Capitec ATM
- Foreign currency exchange
- Post office
- Cellphone stores: MTN, Vodashop
- Book store
- Grocery store: Woolworths
- A variety of shops: Sunglass Hat, Jeep, NWJ, Electro Electronics and Sound, Duty-free shopping, Twill, Galleri, eM’ Native Collection, Sneakers, Tie Shop
- Restaurants
- Information desk covering lost and found services
- Customs office
- Restrooms with toilets and baby change facilities
- Disabled facilities
- Public telephones
- VAT refund
- Islamic prayer room
- Chapel
- Airport clinic
King Shaka International Airport Lounges
There are several lounges at the KSIA. These include:
- The Bidvest Premier Lounge: This lounge is in the domestic area. It opens from 04:45 to 21:00, with snacks, showers, and free Wi-Fi.
- The Umphafa Lounge: This lounge is in the international area and opens from 07:00 to 21:00. Its services include snacks, TV, showers and free Wi-Fi.
- The Slow Lounge: This is another domestic lounge. It is open from 04:30 to 21:00. It offers snacks, food, Wi-Fi and showers.
- The SAA Baobab Premium Class Lounge: This is the third domestic lounge. It opens a 05:00 and closes with the last departure. It offers showers, snacks, Wi-Fi and showers.
You can book lounge access here.
Parking at The King Shaka International Airport
There are various parking options at the airport, including shaded parking, premium parking in the multi-story parking garage and long-stay carports.
How to Get from The KSIA to Durban City Centre?
There are several car rental companies at the KSIA to meet your car hire needs. The car rental companies include Avis, Bluu Car Rental, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, First, Tempest, Thrifty and Woodford. We like to use RentalCars.com to rent cars.
You can book a transfer service using GetTransfer.
There are shuttle buses from the airport to various locations in Durban.
Contact Information for The King Shaka International Airport
Address: King Shaka International Airport, 4407, King Shaka Drive, La Mercy, 4405, South Africa
Telephone: +27 32 436 6000
History of The King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport opened in 2010, just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup started in South Africa. It replaced the Durban International Airport and can handle much larger aircraft. The airport’s name is from the 19th-century Zulu king, named King Shaka.
Frequently Asked Questions About Durban’s King Shaka International Airport
Here are some of the frequently asked questions, with answers, about the KSIA:
Does KSIA Have Luggage Storage?
There are no luggage lockers or storage available at the KSIA.
Is King Shaka Airport the Same as Durban Airport?
No, Durban Airport, also known as Louis Botha Airport, was Durban’s airport from 1951 to 2010. The King Shaka International Airport replaced the Durban Airport in 2010.
Which Town Is Closest to King Shaka Airport?
Although it is known as Durban’s airport, there are smaller towns closer to the airport. These towns include Ballito and Umhlanga.
Which Airlines Fly to KSIA?
International airlines flying to KSIA include British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways. Domestic airlines flying here include FlySafair, Lift, South African Airways and SA Airlink.
Is There an Airport Shuttle Service from King Shaka Airport to Durban?
Yes, there is a shuttle bus from King Shaka Airport to Durban. There is a shuttle bus every 45 minutes. You can find it near the international arrivals’ hall in the Public Transport Parking area. The shuttle bus goes from the airport to well-known hotels in Durban, the Durban Bus Station and the Durban Beachfront. A single trip costs R100 ($5.31 as of 2 July 2023).
Are There Hotels in The King Shaka Airport?
No, there are no hotels at the King Shaka International Airport. There are several hotels near the KSIA. This article covers some of the accommodation options near King Shaka International Airport, but here is a map showing all of the accommodation options near the airport:
