Nonstop flight route between East London, South Africa and Rabaul, Papua New Guinea:
Departure Airport:
(33°2'5"S by 27°49'17"E)
Arrival Airport:
(4°20'25"S by 152°22'45"E)
Distance from ELS to RAB:
7,990.85 miles (12,859.99 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- ELS Airport Information
- RAB Airport Information
- Facts about ELS
- Facts about RAB
- Map of Nearest Airports to ELS
- List of Nearest Airports to ELS
- Map of Furthest Airports from ELS
- List of Furthest Airports from ELS
- Map of Nearest Airports to RAB
- List of Nearest Airports to RAB
- Map of Furthest Airports from RAB
- List of Furthest Airports from RAB
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between East London Airport (ELS), East London, South Africa and Rabaul Airport (RAB), Rabaul, Papua New Guinea would travel a Great Circle distance of 7,991 miles (or 12,860 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between East London Airport and Rabaul Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between East London Airport and Rabaul Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | ELS / FAEL |
| Airport Name: | East London Airport |
| Location: | East London, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 33°2'5"S by 27°49'17"E |
| Area Served: | East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 436 feet (133 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from ELS |
| More Information: | ELS Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | RAB / AYTK |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Rabaul, Papua New Guinea |
| GPS Coordinates: | 4°20'25"S by 152°22'45"E |
| Operator/Owner: | Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 32 feet (10 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from RAB |
| More Information: | RAB Maps & Info |
Facts about East London Airport (ELS):
- Because of East London Airport's relatively low elevation of 436 feet, planes can take off or land at East London Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- In 1965 the airport was again moved, this time to its present site, 9 km west of the city centre.
- East London Airport is an airport serving East London, a city in the Eastern Cape province on the southeast coast of South Africa.
- The closest airport to East London Airport (ELS) is Port Alfred Airport (AFD), which is located 65 miles (105 kilometers) WSW of ELS.
- East London Airport (ELS) has 2 runways.
- East London's airport is a small but bustling one that plays an important role in the growing economy of the Eastern Cape.
- The furthest airport from East London Airport (ELS) is Kalaupapa Airport (LUP), which is located 11,569 miles (18,618 kilometers) away in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States.
Facts about Rabaul Airport (RAB):
- Rabaul Airport (RAB) currently has only 1 runway.
- The airport resides at an elevation of 32 feet above mean sea level.
- Because of Rabaul Airport's relatively low elevation of 32 feet, planes can take off or land at Rabaul Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The closest airport to Rabaul Airport (RAB) is Namatanai Airport (ATN), which is located 47 miles (75 kilometers) N of RAB.
- The furthest airport from Rabaul Airport (RAB) is Governador Carlos Wilson Airport (FEN), which is located 11,780 miles (18,959 kilometers) away in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil.
- A volcano eruption closed the airport for a day in 2006.
- In addition to being known as "Rabaul Airport", another name for RAB is "Tokua Airport".
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 65.15 miles (104.85 km) WSW | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa |     |
| 2 | 114.31 miles (183.96 km) NNE | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 3 | 143.28 miles (230.59 km) WSW | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 4 | 210.82 miles (339.28 km) NE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 5 | 221.32 miles (356.17 km) N | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 222.73 miles (358.45 km) NNE | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 226.04 miles (363.78 km) N | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 228.78 miles (368.18 km) N | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 247.37 miles (398.09 km) N | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 269.67 miles (433.99 km) NNE | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 279.14 miles (449.23 km) NNE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 12 | 286.72 miles (461.43 km) NNW | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 13 | 289.10 miles (465.25 km) N | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 305.60 miles (491.81 km) NE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 15 | 320.45 miles (515.72 km) WSW | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,568.58 miles (18,617.79 km) NNE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,567.16 miles (18,615.49 km) NNE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,563.78 miles (18,610.05 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,562.20 miles (18,607.51 km) NNE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,561.78 miles (18,606.84 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,558.95 miles (18,602.28 km) NNE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,558.59 miles (18,601.70 km) NNE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,558.30 miles (18,601.24 km) NNE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,556.31 miles (18,598.04 km) NNE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,554.09 miles (18,594.46 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,554.09 miles (18,594.46 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,549.72 miles (18,587.42 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,545.26 miles (18,580.25 km) NNE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,543.40 miles (18,577.26 km) NNE | Port Allen Airport (PAK) | Hanapepe, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,541.15 miles (18,573.63 km) NNE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 46.72 miles (75.18 km) N | Namatanai Airport (ATN) | Namatanai, Papua New Guinea | |
| 2 | 91.30 miles (146.93 km) N | Lihir Island Regional Airport (LNV) | Londolovit, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 3 | 94.86 miles (152.67 km) SSW | Manguna Airport (MFO) | Manguna, Papua New Guinea | |
| 4 | 108.75 miles (175.02 km) SSW | Jacquinot Bay Airport (JAQ) | Jacquinot Bay, Papua New Guinea | |
| 5 | 127.72 miles (205.55 km) E | Nissan Island Airport (IIS) | Nissan Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 6 | 156.47 miles (251.82 km) WSW | Hoskins Airport (HKN) | Hoskins, Papua New Guinea | |
| 7 | 162.96 miles (262.25 km) NW | Kavieng Airport (KVG) | Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea | |
| 8 | 174.66 miles (281.09 km) ESE | Buka Island Airport (BUA) | Buka Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 9 | 194.14 miles (312.43 km) SW | Gasmata Airport (GMI) | Gasmata Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 10 | 234.04 miles (376.64 km) WSW | Kandrian Airport (KDR) | Kandrian, Papua New Guinea | |
| 11 | 249.57 miles (401.64 km) NW | Emirau Airport (EMI) | Emirau, Papua New Guinea | |
| 12 | 267.04 miles (429.76 km) ESE | Kieta/Aropa Airport (KIE) | Kieta, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 13 | 282.49 miles (454.62 km) WSW | Cape Gloucester Airport (CGC) | Cape Gloucester, Papua New Guinea | |
| 14 | 301.27 miles (484.84 km) SSW | Losuia Airport (Kiriwina Airfield) (LSA) | Losuia, Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea | |
| 15 | 302.94 miles (487.54 km) SE | Balalae Airport (BAS) | Ballalae, Solomon Islands | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,780.47 miles (18,958.79 km) NNE | Governador Carlos Wilson Airport (FEN) | Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil | |
| 2 | 11,677.69 miles (18,793.37 km) NNW | São Filipe Airport (SFL) | Fogo, Cape Verde | |
| 3 | 11,664.26 miles (18,771.76 km) NNW | Mosteiros Airport (MTI) | Mosteiros, Cape Verde | |
| 4 | 11,653.51 miles (18,754.46 km) NNW | Praia International Airport (RAI) | Praia, Cape Verde | |
| 5 | 11,631.72 miles (18,719.39 km) NNW | Maio Airport (MMO) | Maio, Cape Verde | |
| 6 | 11,560.86 miles (18,605.35 km) NNW | Preguiça Airport (SNE) | São Nicolau, Cape Verde | |
| 7 | 11,560.74 miles (18,605.16 km) NNW | Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) | Boa Vista, Cape Verde | |
| 8 | 11,556.32 miles (18,598.04 km) N | Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE) | São Vicente, Cape Verde | |
| 9 | 11,554.50 miles (18,595.12 km) SE | Augusto Severo International Airport (NAT) | Natal, Brazil | |
| 10 | 11,531.71 miles (18,558.44 km) N | Agostinho Neto Airport (NTO) | Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão, Cape Verde | |
| 11 | 11,523.24 miles (18,544.81 km) NNW | Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) | Sal Island, Cape Verde | |
| 12 | 11,508.13 miles (18,520.50 km) NW | Cap Skirring Airport (CSK) | Cap Skirring, Senegal | |
| 13 | 11,498.37 miles (18,504.79 km) WNW | Bubaque Airport (BQE) | Bubaque, Guinea-Bissau | |
| 14 | 11,497.70 miles (18,503.72 km) NE | Pinto Martins – Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) | Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil | |
| 15 | 11,495.96 miles (18,500.92 km) SSE | Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (JPA) | João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil | |