Ladysmith Airport (FALY)
Medium airport · Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Ladysmith Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FALY |
| IATA | LAY |
| Elevation | 3,548 ft (1081 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 28°34'54" E 29°44'59" -28.58170, 29.74970 |
| Location | Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 3,937 ft (1200 m) | 49 ft | ASP | No |
Ladysmith Airport at a glance
Ladysmith Airport is a medium airport in Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, known to airline systems as LAY. The field elevation of 3,548 ft (1081 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FALY 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, 11/29, offers 3,937 ft (1200 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FALY 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 Ladysmith Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Harrismith Airport | FAHR | 74 km (40 NM) |
| Newcastle Airport | FANC | 93 km (50 NM) |
| Pietermaritzburg Airport | FAPM | 134 km (72 NM) |
| Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport | FAUL | 166 km (90 NM) |
| King Shaka International Airport | FALE | 176 km (95 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ladysmith Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,548 ft field elevation of Ladysmith 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 Ladysmith Airport
What is the ICAO code of Ladysmith Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Ladysmith Airport is FALY, and its IATA code is LAY. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ladysmith Airport above sea level?
Ladysmith Airport sits at an elevation of 3,548 feet (1081 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ladysmith Airport located?
The airport lies at -28.5817, 29.7497 — in Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Harrismith Airport, about 74 km away.
Does FALY publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FALY 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 Ladysmith Airport?
Ladysmith Airport has one runway. The longest, 11/29, measures 3,937 ft (1200 m) with a ASP surface.