Cardiff International Airport (EGFF)
Large airport · Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Airport data
| Name | Cardiff International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | EGFF |
| IATA | CWL |
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 51°23'48" W 3°20'36" 51.39670, -3.34333 |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 7,723 ft (2354 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Cardiff International Airport at a glance
Cardiff International Airport is a large airport in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, known to airline systems as CWL. The field elevation of 220 ft (67 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at EGFF 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 7,723 ft (2354 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 EGFF 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 Cardiff International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| MOD St Athan | EGSY | 6 km (3 NM) |
| Bristol Airport | EGGD | 44 km (24 NM) |
| Swansea Airport | EGFH | 55 km (30 NM) |
| RNAS Yeovilton | EGDY | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Royal Marines Base Chivenor | EGDC | 66 km (36 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Cardiff International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 220 ft field elevation of Cardiff International 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 88 airports and airfields we list for United Kingdom — 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 Cardiff International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Cardiff International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Cardiff International Airport is EGFF, and its IATA code is CWL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Cardiff International Airport above sea level?
Cardiff International Airport sits at an elevation of 220 feet (67 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Cardiff International Airport located?
The airport lies at 51.3967, -3.3433 — in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is MOD St Athan, about 6 km away.
Does EGFF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for EGFF 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 Cardiff International Airport?
Cardiff International Airport has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 7,723 ft (2354 m) with a ASP surface.