King Shaka International Airport

King Shaka International Airport, also known as the La Mercy Airport is currently the primary airport serving the city of Durban in South Africa. It is a public airport located 35 kilometers to the north of Durban City is owned by the Dube Tradeport Company, and operated by the Airports Company South Africa and Worldwide Flight Services. Situated at an elevation of 295 feet above mean sea level, this World-class facility was newly inaugurated just over a month before the 2010 – FIFA World Cup matches replacing the age-old Durban International Airport.

With a single passenger terminal at the southern end, with 34 aircraft stands and a 12,139 feet asphalt surfaced runway, this airport is having a capacity to handle 7.5 million passengers each year. The other facilities making this possible include 72 check-in counters, 18 self help kiosks, 16 aerobridges and 5 baggage claim belts serving traffic movements. Other facilities at this airport for passenger convenience are a post office, bank, currency exchange counters, a VIP lounge, duty free shop, travel agents, chemists, newspaper/gift shops, cafeterias, bars and restaurants.

There is a separate cargo terminal located on the northern side of the airport with an initial capacity of handling 150,000 metric tones of cargo per annum. Operated by Worldwide Flight Services, the expansion plans at the cargo terminal are intended to reach a capacity of handling 1 million metric tones of cargo each year. A total of 6,500 public parking bays consisting of short term and long term parking spaces, along with car rental and private taxi services are available at this airport outside the main terminal building. Many comfortable shuttle bus services are also easily available for travelers wanting to move to and fro downtown Durban from the King Shaka International Airport.