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KwaZulu-Natal's modern gateway serving Durban and surrounds.
Opened
2010
Location
Durban, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It replaced the old Durban International Airport and was purpose-built to handle significantly higher passenger volumes with modern infrastructure.
The airport is named after the legendary Zulu king Shaka, reflecting the cultural heritage of the KwaZulu-Natal region. It is operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and serves both domestic and international routes.
Opened in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the airport is located approximately 35 kilometres north of central Durban near La Mercy. It features a single integrated terminal designed to handle domestic and international passengers under one roof.
Terminals
The airport has a single integrated terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers across a unified concourse.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include metered taxis, airport shuttle services, and car hire, with no direct rail link to central Durban currently operational.
Airlines here
Major carriers operating at King Shaka include South African Airways, FlySafair, Airlink, Kulula, British Airways (operated by Comair), Ethiopian Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
Notable facts
- ›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.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
