King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport - La Mercy, North Coast, KwaZulu Natal © King Shaka International Airport
Known by many who make their way to Durban for both tourist and business
pursuits, The Durban International Airport was opened in 1951 as a replacement
for the Stamford Hill Aerodrome. The airport was originally named after old
South African statesman Louis Botha, and was known as Louis Botha International
Airport until 1994 when it was renamed Durban International Airport. While the
airport served the domestic market well, its two main drawbacks were low numbers
of international passengers and a runway which was too short for a fully loaded
Boeing 747 to take off. As a result of these two factors Durban International
Airport lost much of its international traffic to the OR Tambo International
Airport in Johannesburg. Durban International Airport was decomissioned in April
of 2010 with the new replacement airport located at la Mercy, 35 kilometres
north of Durban, opening in May.
The new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) was named after the great Zulu
King Shaka who ruled during the 19th century, and is known as a greenfield
airport - built from scratch to avoid any likely constraints. The new airport,
designed by Osmond Lange Architects and Planners and built at a total cost of
R7,9 billion is South Africa's second largest transport infrastructural project
after the Gautrain rapid rail link, and boasts a new passenger terminal building
with a total floor surface area of 102 000 m² - much bigger than the old
airport's terminal which only covered 30 000m². The new King Shaka International
Airport will be capable of handling an annual capacity of seven and a half
million passengers, compared to the four and a half million which passed through
the old Durban International Airport. Additional space has also been set aside
for large scale expansion in the future.
KSIA's new runway, which is almost 2 kilometers longer than that of the old
Durban International Airport, stretches a distance of 3.7 km and is capable of
safely accommodating some of the world's largest aircraft, including the
double-decker Airbus A380. Provision for future construction of a second runway
has also been made. Other upgraded features at the new King Shaka International
Airport include an increased number of aircraft parking bays which now total 34,
of which the old airport only had 23; sixteen air bridges, 20 more check-in
counters than Durban International, 18 self-service kiosks , 52 retail outlets
housed in over 6 500m² of retail space, and 6 500 vehicle parking bays - 4000
more than the old airport.
The passenger terminal building at King Shaka International Airport has been
designed in such a way, and incorporates the latest in design concepts -
ensuring for the easy movement of passengers from arrival to departure. KSIA
also offers visitors a full range of banking, forex and car rental services, and
also include an appealing variety of restaurants, bars and duty-free stores.
Accommodation Near King Shaka International Airport
Horizon Unit 2
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in La Mercy
4.3km from King Shaka International AirportLooking for the perfect self catering getaway, escape to a 3 bedroom fully air-conditioned sanctuary away from the city overlooking the stunning La Mercy Beach which is just a short stroll away. Suitable for a family or for the executive -sleeps 6 …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Janthina 6
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
5.2km from King Shaka International AirportA very well equipped "Home from Home" apartment on the Beach with 180 degree Sea Views in the little Boutique Village of Umdloti just 10km North of Umhlanga and 10km from King Shaka International Airport. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Janthina 1
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
5.2km from King Shaka International AirportThis quiet coastal town 25km North of Durban is an ideal family holiday destination. The ground floor unit has an enclosed garden, portable braai and covered patio providing wide angle sea views. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Janthina No. 4
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
5.2km from King Shaka International AirportThis quiet coastal self-catering holiday flat in Umdloti is situated 25 km north of Durban, with beautiful white beaches. It is the ideal holiday destination for the whole family. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
M9 Umdloti Beach Resort
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
5.4km from King Shaka International AirportSituated in an excellent location in Umdloti in secure complex with 24hr security, walking distance to the beach, vibey restaurants, shops, pharmacy, doctors, 6km from King Shaka International Airport and 5km from Sibaya Casino. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Die Strandhuis
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
5.7km from King Shaka International AirportDie Strandhuis has 4 separate self-catering options: the HOUSE, EMBUIA, ROSEWOOD and GRETA'S. All are self-catering, are situated in a garden, have full sea view, are 100m from the beach and allow small breed doggies on request. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
36 Mallorca
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
6.1km from King Shaka International AirportThis 2-bedroom garden apartment, which sleeps 4, is in a safe complex and situated a stone's throw away from the sea, being the closest unit to the beach. It has a large tiled patio and small garden, and superb sea views coupled with personal privacy. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Spindrift Guest House
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Umdloti Beach
6.2km from King Shaka International AirportSpindrift is only a 1minute walk to a lovely bathing beach yet uniquely situated in a secluded,sub-tropical garden, surrounded by indigenous forest, which is full of birds and wild life. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Sunrise Beach View
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Westbrook Beach
7.3km from King Shaka International AirportThis lovely, spacious apartment has 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 6 people, and 2 bathrooms with bath and shower (main en-suite). Offering spectacular ocean views, it is the perfect holiday spot! …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Ocean Whisper
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Westbrook Beach
7.4km from King Shaka International AirportOcean Whisper is a spacious and tranquil upmarket apartment overlooking the exquisite Westbrook Beach. Nestled between Ballito and La Mercy on the Dolphin Coast - the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal - this beautiful self-catering unit has recently been ref …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- La Mercy (3.18km)
- Umdloti Beach (4.26km)
- Tongaat Beach (4.86km)
- Westbrook Beach (6.76km)
- Mount Edgecombe (11.18km)
- Zimbali (11.25km)
- Umhlanga Ridge (11.80km)
- Umhlanga Rocks (12.03km)
- Umhlanga Area (12.05km)
- Ballito Area (13.23km)
- Sunningdale (13.51km)
- La Lucia (13.97km)
- Ballito Central (14.16km)
- Glenashley, Durban (14.84km)
- Thompsons Bay (15.71km)
