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.