Sambava Airport (FMNS)
Medium airport · Sambava, Antsiranana, Madagascar
Airport data
| Name | Sambava Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FMNS |
| IATA | SVB |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 14°16'43" E 50°10'29" -14.27860, 50.17470 |
| Location | Sambava, Antsiranana, Madagascar |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 4,577 ft (1395 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Sambava Airport at a glance
Sambava Airport is a medium airport in Sambava, Antsiranana, Madagascar, known to airline systems as SVB. The field elevation of 20 ft (6 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FMNS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 16/34, offers 4,577 ft (1395 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FMNS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Sambava Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Andapa Airport | FMND | 73 km (39 NM) |
| Antsirabe Airport | FMNH | 82 km (44 NM) |
| Vohemar Airport | FMNV | 102 km (55 NM) |
| Maroantsetra Airport | FMNR | 139 km (75 NM) |
| Mananara Nord Airport | FMNC | 214 km (116 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sambava Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 20 ft field elevation of Sambava Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 23 airports and airfields we list for Madagascar — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Sambava Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sambava Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sambava Airport is FMNS, and its IATA code is SVB. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sambava Airport above sea level?
Sambava Airport sits at an elevation of 20 feet (6 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sambava Airport located?
The airport lies at -14.2786, 50.1747 — in Sambava, Antsiranana, Madagascar, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Andapa Airport, about 73 km away.
Does FMNS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FMNS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Sambava Airport?
Sambava Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 4,577 ft (1395 m) with a ASP surface.