Vanimo Airport (AYVN)
Medium airport · Vanimo, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea
Airport data
| Name | Vanimo Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | AYVN |
| IATA | VAI |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 2°41'33" E 141°18'10" -2.69260, 141.30280 |
| Location | Vanimo, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 5,775 ft (1760 m) | 85 ft | ASP | Yes |
Vanimo Airport at a glance
Vanimo Airport is a medium airport in Vanimo, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, known to airline systems as VAI. The field elevation of 10 ft (3 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at AYVN 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, 12/30, offers 5,775 ft (1760 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 12 points roughly 120° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for AYVN 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 Vanimo Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dortheys Hiyo Eluay International Airport | WAJJ | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Oksibil Airport | WAJO | 257 km (139 NM) |
| Wewak International Airport | AYWK | 281 km (152 NM) |
| Wamena Airport | WAVV | 304 km (164 NM) |
| Tanah Merah Airport | WAKT | 394 km (213 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Vanimo Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 10 ft field elevation of Vanimo 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 21 airports and airfields we list for Papua New Guinea — 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 Vanimo Airport
What is the ICAO code of Vanimo Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Vanimo Airport is AYVN, and its IATA code is VAI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Vanimo Airport above sea level?
Vanimo Airport sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Vanimo Airport located?
The airport lies at -2.6926, 141.3028 — in Vanimo, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Dortheys Hiyo Eluay International Airport, about 88 km away.
Does AYVN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for AYVN 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 Vanimo Airport?
Vanimo Airport has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 5,775 ft (1760 m) with a ASP surface.