Svalbard Airport, Longyear (ENSB)
Medium airport · Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Airport data
| Name | Svalbard Airport, Longyear |
|---|---|
| ICAO | ENSB |
| IATA | LYR |
| Elevation | 88 ft (27 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 78°14'46" E 15°27'56" 78.24610, 15.46560 |
| Location | Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 7,608 ft (2319 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Svalbard Airport, Longyear at a glance
Svalbard Airport, Longyear is a medium airport in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, known to airline systems as LYR. The field elevation of 88 ft (27 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at ENSB 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, 09/27, offers 7,608 ft (2319 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for ENSB 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 Svalbard Airport, Longyear
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nagurskoye Airfield | UODN | 698 km (377 NM) |
| Honningsvåg Airport, Valan | ENHV | 859 km (464 NM) |
| Hammerfest Airport | ENHF | 874 km (472 NM) |
| Mehamn Airport | ENMH | 877 km (474 NM) |
| Berlevåg Airport | ENBV | 908 km (490 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Svalbard Airport, Longyear
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 88 ft field elevation of Svalbard Airport, Longyear 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 43 airports and airfields we list for Norway — 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 Svalbard Airport, Longyear
What is the ICAO code of Svalbard Airport, Longyear?
The ICAO identifier of Svalbard Airport, Longyear is ENSB, and its IATA code is LYR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Svalbard Airport, Longyear above sea level?
Svalbard Airport, Longyear sits at an elevation of 88 feet (27 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Svalbard Airport, Longyear located?
The airport lies at 78.2461, 15.4656 — in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Nagurskoye Airfield, about 698 km away.
Does ENSB publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for ENSB 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 Svalbard Airport, Longyear?
Svalbard Airport, Longyear has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 7,608 ft (2319 m) with a ASP surface.