Bisho Airport (FABE)
Medium airport · Bisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Bisho Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FABE |
| IATA | BIY |
| Elevation | 1,950 ft (594 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 32°53'50" E 27°16'45" -32.89710, 27.27910 |
| Location | Bisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 8,202 ft (2500 m) | 197 ft | ASP | Yes |
Bisho Airport at a glance
Bisho Airport is a medium airport in Bisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa, known to airline systems as BIY. The field elevation of 1,950 ft (594 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FABE are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 08/26, offers 8,202 ft (2500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08 points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FABE 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 Bisho Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| King Phalo Airport | FAEL | 53 km (29 NM) |
| Queenstown Airport | FAQT | 115 km (62 NM) |
| Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport | FAPE | 196 km (106 NM) |
| K. D. Matanzima Airport | FAUT | 199 km (107 NM) |
| Port St Johns Airport | FAPJ | 255 km (138 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Bisho Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,950 ft field elevation of Bisho 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 Bisho Airport
What is the ICAO code of Bisho Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Bisho Airport is FABE, and its IATA code is BIY. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Bisho Airport above sea level?
Bisho Airport sits at an elevation of 1,950 feet (594 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Bisho Airport located?
The airport lies at -32.8971, 27.2791 — in Bisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is King Phalo Airport, about 53 km away.
Does FABE publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FABE 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 Bisho Airport?
Bisho Airport has one runway. The longest, 08/26, measures 8,202 ft (2500 m) with a ASP surface.