NOTE: Welcome to Virginia Airport! After standard check-in, we headed to the take-off zone of this small airport serving Durban — the biggest city in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Se Dhabi, 10 kilometers northeast of the city itself is the general aviation centre. Virginia Airport caters for the training of pilots from first time novices to experienced flyers. It used to be the site of the Durban Airshow, a popular event which was on hiatus until 2024 when a scaled-down version once again featured aircraft displays. Back in 2018, there were proposals to close the airport down altogether but local users managed to rally together and have it saved. It was much more desirable than an airport far out of town. Virginia Airport continues to be an essential aspect of the Durban aviation landscape.

Live Air Traffic

Durban, South Africa — Virginia Airport Located only 10 kms NE of the city is this general aviation airport. It is a base of operations to train pilots for flying. It's a dedicated environment for all pilots to learn and practice in. The Durban Airshow was held previously at Virginia Airport, but experienced safety concerns. In 2024, the airshow came back but with a more modest showing of planes. Although there were plans to shut the airport down in 2018, so new developments could take place. Nevertheless, local users pushed back. They decided to stay near the city with the airport. Virginia Airport is still an integral part of aviation in Durban.

Basic information about airport

Airport code: FAVG
Type: medium
Continent: AF
Country code: ZA
Country: South
City Durban
IATA: VIR
Longitude: 31.058399200439453
Latitude: -29.770599365234375

Virginia Airport on Google Maps

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Virginia Airport: Your Gateway to Durban

Introduction

Virginia Airport (IATA: VIR, ICAO: FAVG) is a general aviation airport located 10 kilometers northeast of Durban, the biggest city in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. Although the airport used to serve as the venue for the Durban Airshow, nowadays, it is mainly a training ground for pilots of all skill levels.

Airlines and Destinations

Virginia Airport does not handle any scheduled commercial flights at present. Instead, the airport is used for private and general aviation. This also includes the training of new pilots as well as private recreational flying.

Number of Passengers and Flights

Because the airport mainly focuses on general aviation, the number of passengers and flights is not officially recorded. Despite that, the airport remains a crucial facility for the local flying community, continuing to serve a constant stream of private and training aircraft.

How to Get Here

The airport is located about 10 kilometers northeast of Durban's city center. If you want to reach the airport by car, you will find that several major routes lead directly to it. Alternatively, if you do not own a car, there is also public transportation, such as buses and taxis, that can get you there.

Parking

The airport provides on-site parking for visitors. This option includes both short-term and long-term spaces. The prices for both options are reasonable, and the parking spots are close to the airport's facilities.

Transportation Prices

Since the airport primarily focuses on private and general aviation, there are no scheduled commercial flights. Therefore, transportation prices are not exhibited. To cover this, you have to rely on taxis or car rentals, which also depend on the distance to be covered.

Terminal Layout

Virginia Airport has a single terminal in which both arrivals and departures are provided. The terminal is relatively small, which is natural because the airport focuses on general aviation, not commercial passenger services.

Navigate the Airport

Virginia Airport is very user-friendly due to its diminutive size. The terminal is easy to navigate, and passengers will have no trouble locating the designated spots as both maintenance and operational signage are visible.

Getting Between Terminals

Virginia Airport is a one-terminal-only affair, so there are no interchanging terminals for departing or arriving passengers to hunt down.

Services and Amenities

Although Virginia Airport boasts limited services when compared to larger commercial airports, the facility does provide several basic amenities, including restrooms and a small waiting area. That means you will find zero dining or shopping options on-site.

Restaurants and Shops

There are no restaurants, and there is one store at the location of Gate 8A near the check-in desks. Virginia Airport offers improved services to travelers either arriving in or departing from Durban. Eating out and shopping for items will involve visitors having to leave the airport premises, as these facilities are located in Durban.

Security and Customs

Because Virginia Airport is a general aviation airport, the security and customs checks are far less formal compared to larger international airports. However, travelers should nonetheless expect to provide identification and pass through a standard security checkpoint.

Accessibility

Virginia Airport is dedicated to offering accessible environments and services for everyone, including those with various disabilities. The transport hub and parking have been created in accordance with modern requirements for passengers who can walk.

Travel Tips

If visiting Virginia Airport, ensure that you allow extra time to get into the airport itself, as they tend to operate a bit slower than major commercial airports due to their general aviation focus. This is also an airport where you can expect a stripped-down offering with few amenities and services available.