Port Elizabeth Airport Name Change Explained: PE → Gqeberha → Chief Dawid Stuurman

If you’re booking flights to “Port Elizabeth Airport” and then seeing “Gqeberha” or “Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport” on your ticket, you’re not alone. The airport has undergone two significant name changes in recent years, and even locals still call it “PE Airport” out of habit. Here’s the full story — who Chief Dawid Stuurman was, why the change happened, and what it means for travellers today.

The Airport’s Original Name: Port Elizabeth Airport

The airport was established in the 1920s and officially opened as Port Elizabeth Airport. It was named after the city of Port Elizabeth, which itself was named in 1820 by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his late wife, Elizabeth. For nearly a century, the airport was known simply by the IATA code PLZ, derived from “Port Elizabeth.”

February 2021: The City Becomes Gqeberha

On 23 February 2021, the South African government officially renamed the city of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha (pronounced “click-GHEH-ber-gha” — the “Gqe” is a Xhosa click sound). The name is a isiXhosa word referring to the Baakens River that flows through the city. It was part of a broader renaming initiative across the Eastern Cape to restore indigenous place names and honour pre-colonial heritage.

At this point, the airport was renamed to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, aligning with the city’s transformation but adding a specific historical figure to the airport’s identity. The IATA code PLZ stayed the same, avoiding chaos in global reservation systems.

Who Was Chief Dawid Stuurman?

Dawid Stuurman (1773–1830) was a Khoi leader and anti-colonial resistance figure who played a pivotal role in the struggle for freedom in the Eastern Cape. He led his people against land dispossession by the British and Dutch settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. For his resistance, he was captured and sent to Robben Island, from which he escaped — the first recorded successful escapee from the island prison. He was recaptured and eventually exiled to Australia, where he died in 1830.

His legacy was largely ignored during colonial and apartheid rule, but in democratic South Africa, his story has been re-elevated. The naming of the airport after him is part of a deliberate effort to honour African heroes and replace colonial-era names with those that reflect the region’s full history.

Why the Double Name (Gqeberha and Chief Dawid Stuurman)?

This double naming causes confusion. Here’s the breakdown:

• The city is officially Gqeberha.

• The municipality is Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (which includes Gqeberha, Kariega/Uitenhage, and Despatch).

• The airport is Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (often shortened to Gqeberha Airport or still PE Airport).

In practice, airlines like FlySafair and Airlink tend to list the destination as “Gqeberha (PLZ)” or “Port Elizabeth (PLZ)” on booking sites to avoid confusion. Google Flights shows “Gqeberha (PLZ).” The airport’s website is still often referred to as “PLZ Airport.”

Why “International” Airport?

PLZ has been designated an international airport for decades, but scheduled international flights remain minimal. There are occasional seasonal flights to Mauritius or charters, but the “International” tag mainly reflects the airport’s customs and immigration capabilities, not its current route map.

How Travellers Still Refer to the Airport

Even four years after the renaming, you’ll hear a mix of terms:

• “Port Elizabeth airport” — the most common, especially among older South Africans and international visitors.

• “PE airport” — shorthand.

• “Gqeberha airport” — increasingly used in official contexts and by younger generations.

• “PLZ” — the airport code, used universally on tickets and baggage tags.

• “Chief Dawid Stuurman” — almost never used in casual conversation, but appearing more on official signage and in media.

If you’re speaking to a taxi driver or an Uber driver, just say “PE Airport” or “the airport.” Everyone understands.

What the Name Change Means for Bookings

Nothing changes operationally. The airport code (PLZ) is the same. Flight tickets and boarding passes will typically say “Port Elizabeth (PLZ)” or “Gqeberha (PLZ).” Your baggage tag will print “PLZ.” Car rental bookings and hotel reservations in the “Port Elizabeth” area are all still valid — the place is physically the same airport, same buildings, same runways.

The Significance for South African Identity

The naming of Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is more than a cosmetic change. It represents a deliberate reclamation of history and recognition of an anti-colonial hero who was, for too long, erased from official narratives. For travellers, understanding this history enriches the experience of visiting the Eastern Cape, where names carry deep meaning and the land’s stories are still being uncovered.

FAQ: The Name Change

1. Why was Port Elizabeth Airport renamed?
   To align with the city’s renaming to Gqeberha and to honour Khoi resistance leader Chief Dawid Stuurman.

2. When did the name change officially happen?
   The airport was renamed in February 2021, simultaneous with the city’s renaming.

3. Is Gqeberha airport the same as Port Elizabeth airport?
   Yes, it’s the exact same airport (IATA code PLZ). Only the name has changed.

4. Who was Chief Dawid Stuurman?
   A Khoi chief and anti-colonial fighter who escaped from Robben Island and died in exile in Australia in 1830.

5. What does Gqeberha mean?
   It’s an isiXhosa word for the Baakens River that flows through the city.

6. Why is it called an international airport when there are no international flights?
   The airport has customs and immigration capability, though scheduled international flights are rare.

7. What do locals call the airport?
   Most still say “PE Airport” or simply “the airport.”

8. Will my old ticket saying “Port Elizabeth” still be valid?
   Yes. The code PLZ and the physical location are unchanged. All airline systems still recognise both names.

9. How do I pronounce Gqeberha?
   It’s a Xhosa click sound: “Click-GHEH-ber-gha.” The “Gqe” starts with a soft click.

10. Are other South African airports renamed too?
    Yes. Several airports have new names, like King Shaka International (Durban), Bram Fischer International (Bloemfontein), and Kruger Mpumalanga International (Nelspruit). It’s part of a broader post-apartheid renaming movement.