Between 20 and 30 flights land at East London Airport each day with 346, 000 people welcomed each year. The airport is also a crucial link in the cargo chain, playing an important role in the growing economy of the Eastern Cape. Planes carrying a variety of cargo head for domestic destinations as well as countries such as France and Holland. Although the two domestic airlines that operate from the airport (South African Airways and SA Express) only employ A320s, the airport can accommodate A300 aircraft.

Known as the 'ten minute airport', Port Elizabeth Airport is situated within five minutes drive from the central business district and the beach front and no more than ten minutes from other areas of importance in the city.