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Ben Schoeman Airport (FAEL/ELS) — East London, South Africa

Ben Schoeman Airport (FAEL/ELS) serves East London, South Africa. This is a mid-sized airport with 2 runways (06/24, 11/29). Field elevation is 435 ft AMSL. Data on this page is maintained by the aviation community — contribute to keep it accurate.

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90% Data Complete 47 of 52 points
Section Breakdown
Basic Info 7/7
Runways 4/4
Frequencies 2/4
Operations 2/2
Fuel 1/1
Contacts 2/2
Additional Info 7/10
Data last updated:
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Basic Airport Information

  • ICAO: FAEL
  • Name: Ben Schoeman Airport
  • Type: medium_airport
  • Category: Domestic
  • Latitude: -33.035599
  • Longitude: 27.825899
  • Elevation: 435 ft
  • Country: South Africa
  • Municipality: East London
  • IATA Code: ELS
  • FAA Code: N/A
  • FIR: N/A
  • Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg
  • Distance from City: 9.3 km
  • VFR: Yes
  • IFR: Yes

Runways

Runway 06/24

  • Designation: 06/24
  • Dimensions: 1585x46m
  • Surface: ASP
  • PCN: PCR 330231
  • Lighting: Lighted
  • NAVAIDs: GP, ILS, LOC, VOR
  • Approach Types: N/A
  • Remarks: N/A

Runway 11/29

  • Designation: 11/29
  • Dimensions: 1939x46m
  • Surface: ASP
  • PCN: PCR 330213
  • Lighting: Lighted
  • NAVAIDs: GP, ILS, LOC, VOR
  • Approach Types: ILS CAT I, VOR/DME
  • Remarks: N/A

See all airports with ILS approaches in South Africa →

Frequencies

  • Tower: 118.300 MHz
  • Ground: N/A
  • Operations: N/A
  • Traffic/Approach: 120.100 MHz
  • ATIS: 126.450 MHz

Operation Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Ben Schoeman Airport operates 24 hours (H24). See all 24-hour airports worldwide →

  • Extra Hours On Request: No
  • Remarks: MON-FRI 0400-1830, SAT 0445-1700, SUN 0545-1830

Contacts

  • AIS Tel: +27 86 035 9669
  • ARO Tel: N/A
  • MET Tel: +27437361911
  • Admin Tel: +27437366066
  • Health Tel: N/A
  • Police Tel: N/A
  • Authorities Tel: +27437366161
  • Website: http://aviation.weathersa.co.za
  • Remarks: N/A

Slots / PPR

  • Slot Required: No
  • PPR Required: No
  • PPR Contact: N/A
  • Remarks: N/A

Fees

  • Landing Fee: Based on MTOW; approx ZAR 65/ton
  • Parking Fee: ZAR 30/ton per 24h
  • Handling Mandatory: Yes
  • Currency: ZAR
  • Remarks: King Phalo Airport (formerly East London). Eastern Cape. ACSA operated.

Fuel Information

  • Fuel Type: Jet A-1
  • Price/L: N/A
  • Last Updated: 2026-02-18
  • Remarks: Shell Aviation. Available during operating hours.
  • Fuel Type: JET A1
  • Price/L: N/A
  • Last Updated: N/A
  • Remarks: N/A
  • Fuel Type: AVGAS
  • Price/L: N/A
  • Last Updated: N/A
  • Remarks: N/A

Immigration

  • Port of Entry: No
  • GENDEC Required: No
  • GAR Required: No
  • Remarks: Domestic airport primarily. Limited international CIQ capability. Eastern Cape coastal city.

Restrictions

  • Curfew Start: 00:00
  • Curfew End: 00:00
  • Noise Chapter Min: Chapter 3
  • Remarks: No curfew. Coastal airport. Sea fog possible in winter months.

Airport Services

No services listed for this airport yet.

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South Africa Permit Requirements

Medium Landing: 5d
  • Overflight Permit: Conditional
  • Landing Permit: Yes
  • Overflight Lead Time: 2 working days notification
  • Landing Lead Time: 3 working days / 72 hours (official); 5 business days recommended
Private / GA Operations:

Private flights require advance notification. Customs at designated international airports.

View Full South Africa Permit Details

Active NOTAMs

F0124/26 info
TRIGGER NOTAM - AIRAC AIP SUP S065/26 DATED 06 AUG 2026: CHARTS (WEF 06 AUG 2026 - PERM).
2026-08-06 00:00:00 2026-08-20 23:59:00
B0960/26 info
NOTAM CNL. REF B0959/26.
2026-07-25 12:20:43 Until further notice
B0958/26 info
NIL APP 120.1 MHZ SER AVBL.
2026-07-25 12:00:46 Until further notice

+1 more active NOTAM

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Nearby Airports

FAKO Komga Airport 27 NM FABE Bisho Airport 29 NM FAKE Keimouth Airport 34 NM FATM Stutterheim Airport 34 NM FATR Trennery s Airport 38 NM FAWR Wavecrest Airport 44 NM FAZP Mazeppa Bay Airport 54 NM FAKI Kobb Inn Airport 56 NM

Compare FAEL with FAKO side by side →

Airport History

Discover the key milestones and historical events that shaped Ben Schoeman Airport. Our community-powered timeline traces this airport's journey from its origins to the present day.

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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours of FAEL?
Ben Schoeman Airport operates from 04:00 to 18:30.
What is the tower frequency at FAEL?
The tower frequency at Ben Schoeman Airport is 118.3 MHz.
What fuel is available at FAEL?
Ben Schoeman Airport offers Jet A-1, JET A1, AVGAS.
Does FAEL require landing permits?
Yes, landing permits are required for Ben Schoeman Airport (South Africa).
Where is FAEL located?
Ben Schoeman Airport (FAEL) is located in East London, South Africa.
What is the IATA code for FAEL?
The IATA code for Ben Schoeman Airport is ELS.
How long is the runway at FAEL?
The main runway at Ben Schoeman Airport (06/24) measures 1585x46m.
Does FAEL have an ILS approach?
Yes, Ben Schoeman Airport has ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches on runway 11/29.
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