Fort Smith Airport (CYSM)
Medium airport · Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
Airport data
| Name | Fort Smith Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | CYSM |
| IATA | YSM |
| Elevation | 671 ft (205 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 60°1'13" W 111°57'43" 60.02030, -111.96200 |
| Location | Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 1,800 ft (549 m) | 100 ft | COM | Yes |
| 12/30 | 6,000 ft (1829 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
Fort Smith Airport at a glance
Fort Smith Airport is a medium airport in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, known to airline systems as YSM. The field elevation of 671 ft (205 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at CYSM are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 12/30 — offers 6,000 ft (1829 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 CYSM 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 Fort Smith Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Chipewyan Airport | CYPY | 147 km (79 NM) |
| Fort Resolution Airport | CYFR | 160 km (86 NM) |
| Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport | CYHY | 229 km (124 NM) |
| Yellowknife International Airport | CYZF | 302 km (163 NM) |
| High Level Airport | CYOJ | 334 km (180 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Fort Smith Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 671 ft field elevation of Fort Smith 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 250 airports and airfields we list for Canada — 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 Fort Smith Airport
What is the ICAO code of Fort Smith Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Fort Smith Airport is CYSM, and its IATA code is YSM. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Fort Smith Airport above sea level?
Fort Smith Airport sits at an elevation of 671 feet (205 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Fort Smith Airport located?
The airport lies at 60.0203, -111.9620 — in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Fort Chipewyan Airport, about 147 km away.
Does CYSM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for CYSM 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 Fort Smith Airport?
Fort Smith Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 12/30, measures 6,000 ft (1829 m) with a ASP surface.