Leeuwarden Air Base (EHLW)
Medium airport · Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands
Airport data
| Name | Leeuwarden Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | EHLW |
| IATA | LWR |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 53°13'43" E 5°45'38" 53.22860, 5.76056 |
| Location | Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 8,045 ft (2452 m) | 164 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 09/27 | 6,562 ft (2000 m) | 164 ft | ASP | Yes |
Leeuwarden Air Base at a glance
Leeuwarden Air Base is a medium airport in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands, known to airline systems as LWR. The field elevation of 3 ft (1 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at EHLW are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 05/23 — offers 8,045 ft (2452 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for EHLW 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 Leeuwarden Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Groningen Airport Eelde | EHGG | 56 km (30 NM) |
| De Kooy Airfield / Den Helder Naval Air Station | EHKD | 74 km (40 NM) |
| Lelystad Airport | EHLE | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | EHAM | 122 km (66 NM) |
| Deelen Air Base | EHDL | 130 km (70 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Leeuwarden Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3 ft field elevation of Leeuwarden Air Base 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 14 airports and airfields we list for Netherlands — 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 Leeuwarden Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Leeuwarden Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Leeuwarden Air Base is EHLW, and its IATA code is LWR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Leeuwarden Air Base above sea level?
Leeuwarden Air Base sits at an elevation of 3 feet (1 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Leeuwarden Air Base located?
The airport lies at 53.2286, 5.7606 — in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Groningen Airport Eelde, about 56 km away.
Does EHLW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for EHLW 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 Leeuwarden Air Base?
Leeuwarden Air Base has 2 runways. The longest, 05/23, measures 8,045 ft (2452 m) with a ASP surface.