Alexander Bay Airport (FAAB)
Medium airport · Alexander Bay, Northern Cape, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Alexander Bay Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAAB |
| IATA | ALJ |
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 28°34'30" E 16°31'60" -28.57500, 16.53330 |
| Location | Alexander Bay, Northern Cape, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 6,063 ft (1848 m) | 151 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 07/25 | 5,499 ft (1676 m) | 118 ft | GVL | No |
| 11/29 | 4,823 ft (1470 m) | 115 ft | GVL | No |
Alexander Bay Airport at a glance
Alexander Bay Airport is a medium airport in Alexander Bay, Northern Cape, South Africa, known to airline systems as ALJ. The field elevation of 98 ft (30 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAAB are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 01/19 — offers 6,063 ft (1848 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAAB 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 Alexander Bay Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Oranjemund Airport | FYOG | 9 km (5 NM) |
| Kleinsee Airport | FAKZ | 135 km (73 NM) |
| Springbok Airport | FASB | 184 km (99 NM) |
| Aggeneys Airport | FAAG | 235 km (127 NM) |
| Luderitz Airport | FYLZ | 245 km (132 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Alexander Bay Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 98 ft field elevation of Alexander Bay 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 62 airports and airfields we list for South Africa — 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 Alexander Bay Airport
What is the ICAO code of Alexander Bay Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Alexander Bay Airport is FAAB, and its IATA code is ALJ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Alexander Bay Airport above sea level?
Alexander Bay Airport sits at an elevation of 98 feet (30 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Alexander Bay Airport located?
The airport lies at -28.5750, 16.5333 — in Alexander Bay, Northern Cape, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Oranjemund Airport, about 9 km away.
Does FAAB publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAAB 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 Alexander Bay Airport?
Alexander Bay Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 01/19, measures 6,063 ft (1848 m) with a ASP surface.