Virginia Airport Durban is near to The Riverside Hotel

Virginia Airport Durban is close to The Riverside Hotel

Virginia Airport is an airport serving Durban, the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. This general aviation airport is located 10km north of Durban.
SPECIALS AT RIVERSIDE HOTEL

Virginia airport begins a few decades ago, when the only airport in Durban was at Stamford Hill. All commercial and light aircraft landed there, but once South African Airways started flying DC-4s, it was time to move the main airport to Louis Botha airport that become Durban International airport till 2010 when King Shaka International Airport was opened.

The light aircraft fraternity decided that Stamford Hill airport was too big for their needs and it was time to look for a new home. Mervyn Gild (then a Durban Councillor) owned a Cessna 182 and invited Mike Hartley (then chairman of the Durban wings club) to fly with him and look for a new site. Flying along the coast, just north of the Umgeni river mouth, was a prime site that looked ideal, as the wind direction was either down or up the coast.

The new airport was opened in 1959. Situated at the extremity of the suburb of Virginia, it naturally took the name; Virginia airport.

Two hangars were moved from Stamford Hill to Virginia, and some smaller buildings were built. Those same hangars are still being used today. The airport was opened by Mayor Shaw in June 1959, and the grand opening was commemorated by an air race, which ended at Virginia airport.

At that stage, about 50 people worked at Virginia, including ground maintenance staff, which has since grown to about 250 people, working in all spheres of aviation: from airport management staff to aircraft maintenance.

Initially, Durban Wings Club had its own aircraft, used for training. The club trained many young pilots who are still flying today. As time went by, the emphasis changed from training, to a club for its members. Now some club members would like to see the club obtaining a small aircraft, such as a Piper Tri Pacer, that can be easily maintained and used by club members for training.

Today, Virginia airport, or as it is affectionately known in South Africa as HMS Virginia due to its short runway and closeness to the ocean is a busy training airport and a base of a number of charter companies. Due its closeness to the beach, landing and taking off from Virginia is always a thrill, and its closeness to Durban international makes Instrument and advanced training cost and time effective.

Source: Durban Aviation Centre

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The Riverside Hotel Complex

Set just 20 minutes’ drive from King Shaka International Airport and 5 minutes’ drive from the city centre of Durban, The Riverside Hotel reflects a resort life in the city.

The Riverside Hotel offers 168 superbly appointed bedrooms as well as an onsite restaurant and state of the art conference facility. The Riverside Grill offers a mouth-watering menu and furnishings that have been designed to offer our guests a luxurious and relaxed environment. We have paired luxury dining with poolside relaxation, breath-taking scenery & open-planned settings. We invite you to experience the perfect day with friends, family or business partners.

SERVICE
The Riverside Hotel is a full-service hotel. Facilities available include, but are not limited to, 24 hour reception, conference facilities, room service, laundry, mini gym, The Riverside Grill restaurant, shuttle and much more. Discover it for yourself today and drive on down to the Riverside Hotel

ATTRACTIONS
At The Riverside Hotel, the possibilities are endless: Visit uShaka Marine World, the enormous Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umgeni Bird Park, play a round of golf at the Windsor Golf Course, or catch a game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it situated within a few minutes drive. CHECK FOR ACCOMMODATION AVAILABILITY

The Riverside Hotel is close to the following suburbs in Durban: Riverside, Umgeni Park, Durban North, Virginia, Glenashley, La Lucia, La Lucia Ridge, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga Ridge, Prestondale, Glen Hills, Sunningdales, Somerset Park, Mt Edgecombe, Phoenix, Morningside, Musgrave, North Beach