George Airport (GRJ/FAGG) is a small airport at the southern South African coast along the Garden Route. The airport is located a 15km southwest of the city centre surrounded by some farms and fields in a hilly area, which makes spotting a bit tricky at some points. North of the city, the Outeniqua mountains flank the city, but due to the sun passing by in the north here, you will never get the hills in the background nicely with light.

The airport is served only by South African carriers such as CemAir, Safair and Airlink, connecting George (the capital of the Garden Route) throughout South Africa to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and a few more cities. The airport is handling roughly 850.000 passengers per year. In addition, there is some general aviation traffic at GRJ with some flight schools located west of the terminal. In general however, the traffic here is quiet average with only little special sightings.

Written by Severin Hackenberger. Last Update: April 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
11/29	2000 x 45m
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Would be useful at spot 3, but you can also shoot through the mesh or over the fence with liveview.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around.
Drinks/Food	Some shops and farms in the area in addition to the Elvis Brew shop south of the airfield.
Hotels	No spotter hotels around.
Season	During the summer months you have more traffic of European guests fleeing from the winter. The weather is better as well.
Security	PLEASE BE CAREFUL DURING YOUR STAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. HERE ARE SOME GENERAL TIPS: – DON´T SPOT ALONE. ALWAYS TRY AND HAVE A BUDDY WITH YOU – STAY NEXT TO YOUR CAR WHILE SPOTTING – DON´T DISPLAY YOUR EXPENSIVE CAMERA EQUIPMENT, TABLET OR SMARTPHONE FOR A LONG TIME. – AT NIGHT, DON´T GO OUT BY FOOT, EVEN IF YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK A FEW METERS. ALWAYS USE YOUR CAR.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 11 is in use most of the time due to easterly winds from the sea.

	Spot #1 – R102 – 11/29 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located northwest of the airport along R102: along the northern edge, there are some farm access roads and shoulders where you can quickly stop your car. Then position yourself along the roadside/fence here depending on your subject to shoot. Be aware, there is a sort of mound on the southern side blocking the sight onto the runway (marked on the map as green area). Position yourself accordingly depending on what you wanna see freely.
WHAT	From here you can nicely see 11/29 movements – but be aware to position yourself wisely due to the mound on the other side of the street disturbing your view partly.
TIME	Mostly afternoon/evening hours are best here, but for 29 vacators after arrival morning hours can work as well.
MISC.	Nothing needed, nothing nearby. Take care when walking along the streetside as cars pass by quickly. Heat haze can be an issue. Keep a low profile with expensive gear not to be the target of some quick hijack or robbery which would be easy here along the street!
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm E190 = 220mm

GRJ-Spot1

GRJ-Spot1

	Spot #2 – GA – Ramp
WHERE	North of the terminal and the rental car area, turn off to the west towards the general aviation area and flight schools. You will reach the fence around the northern end of the ramp quickly, stop by the roadside and just position yourself here easily.
WHAT	Along here you can observe the GA ramp nicely.
TIME	In the noon and afternoon hours.
MISC.	You can shoot through or over the fence easily. Nothing around, nothing nearby. You are not by a busy street, it is quiet safe here.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm Beech = 120mm

GRJ-Spot2

GRJ-Spot2

GRJ-Spot2

	Spot #3 – AIFA School – 11/29 Movements + Taxiway + Ramp
WHERE	East of the general aviation area, you will find a small unnamed street leading south towards AIFA flying school. Enter their parking (the gate is mostly opened during the day) and position yourself along the fence front. Sometimes, you will find some guys/pilots around here: be kind, approach them and sometimes they will let you onto the GA ramp allowing some more angles.
WHAT	From here you can see the ramp east of you, plus the taxiway and runway 11/29 south of you.
TIME	Ramp only in the afternoon hours. Taxiway and runway also already earlier from noon on till sunset.
MISC.	You can shoot through or over the fence easily. Nothing around, nothing nearby. You are not by a busy street, it is quiet safe here.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm Piper on taxiway = 80mm / Dash8 on runway = 180mm

GRJ-Spot3

GRJ-Spot3

GRJ-Spot3

GRJ-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Terminal – Ramp + Taxiway + 11/29 Movements
WHERE	Inside the terminal you will find some options to shoot from the window front: both, on the upper and lower floor.
WHAT	You are able to shoot planes on the ramp in front, plus also the taxiway and runway 11/29 in the back.
TIME	Depending on the exact angle, but can be useful from later morning till aftenroon.
MISC.	Most window fronts are located behind the security check, so a valid boarding pass/flight is the only option to use this spot. All you need is inside the terminal. Haze can be an issue on the runway.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm

GRJ-Spot4

	Spot #5 – R404 – 11 Arrivals + 29 Departures
WHERE	Heading east from the terminal, you will use R404: you can stop along its roadside on the shoulder at some points for a quick photo here.
WHAT	From here you can see aircraft arriving on runway 11 as well as 29 departures in the air.
TIME	Later morning till later afternoon works nicely here, depending on the exact season and direction of usage.
MISC.	You can shoot through or over the fence easily. Nothing around, nothing nearby. Keep a low profile with expensive gear not to be the target of some quick hijack or robbery which would be easy here along the street!
FOCAL LENGTH	Should be 70-300mm

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