King Phalo Airport
Daylight today(Aug 29, 2026, local time)
About 11h 18m of daylight. Civil twilight (dawn/dusk) approximates the FAA definition of night for logging and currency. Times are computed and approximate — verify with official sources.
About King Phalo Airport
King Phalo Airport (IATA: ELS, ICAO: FAEL) (Afrikaans: Koning Phalo Lughawe; formerly East London Airport (Afrikaans: Oos-Londen Lughawe) until 23 February 2021) is an airport serving East London, a city in the Eastern Cape province on the southeast coast of South Africa. The airport handles between 20 and 30 flights daily. In 2016, King Phalo Airport was voted the fastest growing airport in South Africa, having accomplished an almost 19% increase in traffic over a 12-month-period.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
Live weather
FAELNOTAMs
FAELReference only — not an official briefing. Always obtain a certified briefing (e.g. 1800wxbrief.com / your AIS) before flight.
NOTAM data via the FAA NOTAM system.
Live departures & arrivals
Flight data by AeroDataBox. Times are estimates — not for navigation; confirm with the airline.
Where you can fly from here
Current scheduled routes & daily frequency by AeroDataBox. Approximate — confirm bookable schedules with the airline.
Live traffic nearby
Aircraft currently within ~40 nm, from live ADS-B. Positions are approximately real-time — not for navigation.
Live ADS-B by adsb.lol & the OpenSky Network. Not for navigation.
Map
Runway centrelines, navaids and overlapping airspace. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only — not for navigation.
Runways (2)
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighting | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 / 29 | 6,362 ft / 1,939 m | 150 ft | Asp | Lighted | Open |
| 06 / 24 | 5,200 ft / 1,585 m | 150 ft | Asp | Lighted | Open |
Radio frequencies (4)
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 120.100 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 126.450 MHz |
| GTE | APRON | 122.650 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.300 MHz |
Services & operations
King Phalo Airport handles 20 to 30 flights daily and serves approximately 620,000 passengers yearly.
From the airport’s official website — details may change, so confirm with the airport. Official site
Navaids(1)
Airlines & destinations
Route data from OpenFlights — historical and may be out of date. Check current schedules.
Airspace in this area(9)
| Name | Class | Type | Floor | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWY A405 | Class A | Airway | FL145 | FL245 |
| AWY A402 | Class A | Airway | FL145 | FL245 |
| TMA FAEL A | Class C | Controlled | 2500 ft MSL | FL145 |
| TMA FAEL B | Class C | Controlled | 4500 ft MSL | FL145 |
| TMA FAEL E | Class C | Controlled | FL105 | FL145 |
| TMA FAEL D | Class C | Controlled | FL085 | FL145 |
| CTA FACT B | Class C | Controlled | FL145 | FL200 |
| CTR FAEL | Class D | CTR | GND | 2500 ft MSL |
| CAPE TOWN EAST | Class G | FIR | 1500 ft GND | FL145 |
Approximate bounding-box match from OpenAIP · all South Africa airspace. Reference only — consult official charts for exact boundaries and status.
Weather by month
Share of VFR / marginal-VFR / IFR / low-IFR conditions by month over the last 8 years, with the prevailing wind and typical density altitude. Historical climatology — not a forecast.
Prevailing wind: W (from about 270°), on 13% of observations, averaging 11 kt.
| Month | VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR | % VFR | Median DA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68% | 1,438 ft | |
| Feb | 72% | 1,435 ft | |
| Mar | 76% | 1,307 ft | |
| Apr | 78% | 951 ft | |
| May | 89% | 773 ft | |
| Jun | 91% | 528 ft | |
| Jul | 96% | 439 ft | |
| Aug | 90% | 498 ft | |
| Sep | 80% | 639 ft | |
| Oct | 76% | 847 ft | |
| Nov | 75% | 1,099 ft | |
| Dec | 68% | 1,278 ft |
VFR MVFR IFR LIFR· density altitude ranges ~439–1,438 ft through the year· Source: NWS/IEM ASOS archive.
Nearby airports
Great-circle distance and true bearing from King Phalo Airport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICAO code for King Phalo Airport?
The ICAO code for King Phalo Airport is FAEL, and its IATA code is ELS.
Where is King Phalo Airport located?
King Phalo Airport is large airport located in East London, South Africa, at an elevation of 435 ft (133 m).
How many runways does King Phalo Airport have?
King Phalo Airport has 2 runways, the longest being 6,362 ft / 1,939 m.
Which airlines fly to King Phalo Airport?
Airlines historically serving King Phalo Airport include Comair, South African Airways (based on OpenFlights route data, which may be out of date).
How many destinations are served from King Phalo Airport?
Historical data lists 4 nonstop destinations from King Phalo Airport. Always check current schedules.
What time zone is King Phalo Airport in?
King Phalo Airport is in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone (UTC+02:00).
What is the magnetic variation at King Phalo Airport?
The magnetic variation (declination) at King Phalo Airport is approximately 30.6° W, per the World Magnetic Model. Variation changes slowly over time — always use the current value charted for navigation.
What airports are near King Phalo Airport?
The nearest airport to King Phalo Airport is Wings Park Airfield (ZA-0182), about 12.7 nm to the n, followed by Kwelega Road Airstrip and Whats Landing Airport.
Is the information on this page suitable for flight planning?
No. King Phalo Airport data here is for reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult official sources and current charts before any flight.