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King Shaka International Airport
Durban, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport
KwaZulu-Natal's modern gateway serving Durban and surrounds.
- ›Opened on 1 May 2010, just weeks before the FIFA World Cup began in South Africa.
- ›Named after Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the influential Zulu king of the early 19th century.
- ›Replaced the former Durban International Airport, which was subsequently demolished.
- ›Located near La Mercy, approximately 35 km north of Durban's city centre.
- ›The airport was designed with capacity to handle around 7.5 million passengers annually.
King Shaka International Airport, opened in May 2010 to replace the old Durban International Airport, is named after the legendary Zulu king and serves as the primary aviation hub for KwaZulu-Natal province. Located at La Mercy, approximately 35 kilometres north of Durban's city centre, the airport was purpose-built to accommodate modern wide-body aircraft and growing regional traffic. It plays a vital role connecting South Africa's eastern coastline to domestic routes and a growing number of international destinations.
- Main Terminal — A single integrated terminal building handling all domestic and international arrivals and departures under one roof with distinct piers for each flight category.
- Gautrain-linked shuttle services and dedicated airport bus coaches to Durban CBD
- King Shaka Airport Shuttle (pre-booked shared coach service to Durban and surrounds)
- Metered taxis available at the designated rank outside arrivals
- Uber and Bolt ride-hailing services accessible from the arrivals level
- Car rental desks (Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty) in the terminal
- N2 highway direct road access for private and self-drive travellers
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga
- Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Durban
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Umhlanga
- Garden Court uMhlanga
- The Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks
Inside the terminal, travellers will find a mix of South African chains and international fast-food outlets including Mugg & Bean, Kauai, and Wimpy, alongside coffee bars and convenience snack stops airside. The nearby Umhlanga Rocks and La Lucia Mall areas offer a far broader range of restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood to traditional Zulu-inspired cuisine. For a memorable pre-flight meal, the Umhlanga strip is just a short drive away and well worth the trip.
- Allow extra time for the 35 km drive from central Durban, especially during morning and afternoon peak traffic on the N2.
- Pre-book your shuttle or ride-hailing service as metered taxis at the rank can be limited during off-peak hours.
- The terminal has free Wi-Fi but coverage can be patchy in busy periods, so download boarding passes in advance.
- If hiring a car, note that the N2 has frequent speed enforcement cameras between the airport and the city centre.
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King Shaka International Airport, abbreviated KSIA, is the primary international airport serving Durban, South Africa. It is located in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of the city centre of Durban. The airport opened its doors to passengers on May 1, 2010, 41 days before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It replaced Durban International Airport and uses the same IATA airport code. The airport was designed by Osmond Lange Architects and Planners and cost R 6,800,000,000.
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