King Shaka International Airport

Overview

King Shaka International Airport is the main large airport serving Durban on South Africa’s east coast, giving travellers a straightforward gateway to the city, its beaches, and the wider KwaZulu-Natal region. It is identified by the codes DUR and FALE, and sits at an elevation of 295 ft (90 m). For trip planning, arrivals, and departures, it operates on Africa/Johannesburg time, the same time zone used across much of South Africa.

What Travellers Should Know

• Airport codes: DUR (IATA) and FALE (ICAO)
• Airport type: large airport serving Durban, South Africa
• Elevation: 295 ft (90 m) above sea level
• Main runway: 06/24, 12139 ft long, asphalt surface
• Time zone: Africa/Johannesburg

Runway And Operations

The airport has a single long asphalt runway, 06/24, measuring 12139 ft, which supports the needs of a major commercial airport and allows for efficient handling of a wide range of aircraft. For travellers, that usually means a facility designed for regular scheduled service rather than a small regional airfield, so it is a practical point of arrival if Durban is your final destination or the start of a broader journey in eastern South Africa.

Why It Matters For Your Trip

Knowing the airport’s basics can make travel smoother: checking the DUR code helps when booking flights, while the local Africa/Johannesburg time zone is useful for connections, hotel check-in planning, and arranging pickups. Because King Shaka International Airport serves Durban directly, it is the most obvious air gateway for visitors heading to the city for business, coastal holidays, or onward travel through the surrounding province.