King Phalo Airport (FAEL)
Large airport · East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | King Phalo Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAEL |
| IATA | ELS |
| Elevation | 435 ft (133 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 33°2'8" E 27°49'33" -33.03560, 27.82590 |
| Location | East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 5,200 ft (1585 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 11/29 | 6,362 ft (1939 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
King Phalo Airport at a glance
King Phalo Airport is a large airport in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, known to airline systems as ELS. The field elevation of 435 ft (133 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAEL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 11/29 — offers 6,362 ft (1939 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAEL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to King Phalo Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bisho Airport | FABE | 53 km (29 NM) |
| Queenstown Airport | FAQT | 152 km (82 NM) |
| K. D. Matanzima Airport | FAUT | 184 km (99 NM) |
| Port St Johns Airport | FAPJ | 225 km (122 NM) |
| Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport | FAPE | 231 km (125 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for King Phalo Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 435 ft field elevation of King Phalo Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 62 airports and airfields we list for South Africa — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about King Phalo Airport
What is the ICAO code of King Phalo Airport?
The ICAO identifier of King Phalo Airport is FAEL, and its IATA code is ELS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is King Phalo Airport above sea level?
King Phalo Airport sits at an elevation of 435 feet (133 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is King Phalo Airport located?
The airport lies at -33.0356, 27.8259 — in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Bisho Airport, about 53 km away.
Does FAEL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAEL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at King Phalo Airport?
King Phalo Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 11/29, measures 6,362 ft (1939 m) with a ASP surface.