Airports / South Africa / DUR
King Shaka International Airport.
Durban, South Africa · 295 ft elevation. 2 charter operators based here.
FALE
IATA DUR
2
Operators based
295
Elevation ft
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
2 operators
Charter fleet based on the field
More resident charter operators than 58% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.
10 nm
To the nearest alternate
Virginia Airport (VIR), 2 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
King Shaka International Airport (FALE / DUR) is a large commercial airport serving Durban, South Africa. The airport sits 295 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, KZN Aviation and Starlite Aviation Group are based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Virginia Airport (VIR, 10 nm), Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB, 38 nm), and Richards Bay Airport (RCB, 73 nm). With a single 12,139-foot paved runway, DUR can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from DUR depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. In directories and search listings it also appears under La Mercy Airport. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Durban.
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Field capability
ICAO
FALE
IATA
DUR
FAA / Local
FALE
Elevation
295 ft
Coordinates
29.6144° S · 31.1197° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs South Africa fields
state range 20–5,700 ft
At 295 ft, DUR sits lower than 84% of the 62 South Africa fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 12,139 ft
- 06/2412,139 ft × 197 ftAsphaltUnlit
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 12,139 ft
DUR's 12,139 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators2
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 10nmVIRVirginia AirportDurban
- 38nmPZBPietermaritzburg AirportPietermaritzburg
- 73nmRCBRichards Bay AirportRichards Bay
- 79nmULDPrince Mangosuthu Buthelezi AirportUlundi
- 85nmMGHMargate AirportMargate
- 95nmLAYLadysmith AirportLadysmith
Location
Open the full mapFALE · King Shaka International Airport · Durban, South Africa
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from DUR on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 7,093 nm | 16h 54m |
| New York (TEB) | 7,187 nm | 17h 7m |
| Miami (MIA) | 7,208 nm | 17h 10m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 7,217 nm | 17h 11m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 7,309 nm | 17h 24m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 7,699 nm | 18h 18m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 7,811 nm | 18h 34m |
| Houston (HOU) | 8,036 nm | 19h 5m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use DUR?
- King Shaka International Airport's longest paved runway is 12,139 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at DUR?
- King Shaka International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 12,139 ft on a paved surface.
- Are there charter operators based at DUR?
- Yes. 2 charter operators list King Shaka International Airport as a home base, including KZN Aviation, Starlite Aviation Group. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to DUR?
- The closest alternate is Virginia Airport (VIR), about 10 nm away, followed by Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) at 38 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from DUR to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 16h 54m (7,093 nm), New York about 17h 7m (7,187 nm), Miami about 17h 10m (7,208 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.