Harrismith Airport (FAHR)
Medium airport · Harrismith, Free State, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Harrismith Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAHR |
| IATA | HRS |
| Elevation | 5,585 ft (1702 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 28°14'6" E 29°6'22" -28.23510, 29.10620 |
| Location | Harrismith, Free State, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 3,937 ft (1200 m) | 49 ft | ASP | Yes |
Harrismith Airport at a glance
Harrismith Airport is a medium airport in Harrismith, Free State, South Africa, known to airline systems as HRS. The field elevation of 5,585 ft (1702 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAHR 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, 15/33, offers 3,937 ft (1200 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAHR 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 Harrismith Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ladysmith Airport | FALY | 74 km (40 NM) |
| Newcastle Airport | FANC | 100 km (54 NM) |
| Ficksburg Sentraoes Airport | FAFB | 134 km (72 NM) |
| Secunda Airport | FASC | 190 km (103 NM) |
| Pietermaritzburg Airport | FAPM | 201 km (109 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Harrismith Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,585 ft field elevation of Harrismith 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 Harrismith Airport
What is the ICAO code of Harrismith Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Harrismith Airport is FAHR, and its IATA code is HRS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Harrismith Airport above sea level?
Harrismith Airport sits at an elevation of 5,585 feet (1702 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Harrismith Airport located?
The airport lies at -28.2351, 29.1062 — in Harrismith, Free State, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ladysmith Airport, about 74 km away.
Does FAHR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAHR 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 Harrismith Airport?
Harrismith Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 3,937 ft (1200 m) with a ASP surface.