Mmabatho International Airport (FAMM)
Medium airport · Mafeking, North-West, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Mmabatho International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAMM |
| IATA | MBD |
| Elevation | 4,181 ft (1274 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 25°47'54" E 25°32'53" -25.79840, 25.54800 |
| Location | Mafeking, North-West, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 15,157 ft (4620 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Mmabatho International Airport at a glance
Mmabatho International Airport is a medium airport in Mafeking, North-West, South Africa, known to airline systems as MBD. The field elevation of 4,181 ft (1274 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAMM 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, 04/22, offers 15,157 ft (4620 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAMM 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 Mmabatho International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Morningside Farm Airport | FAMS | 137 km (74 NM) |
| Sir Seretse Khama International Airport | FBSK | 143 km (77 NM) |
| Vryburg Airport | FAVB | 155 km (84 NM) |
| Jwaneng Airport | FBJW | 159 km (86 NM) |
| P C Pelser Airport | FAKD | 167 km (90 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Mmabatho International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 4,181 ft field elevation of Mmabatho International 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 Mmabatho International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Mmabatho International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Mmabatho International Airport is FAMM, and its IATA code is MBD. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Mmabatho International Airport above sea level?
Mmabatho International Airport sits at an elevation of 4,181 feet (1274 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Mmabatho International Airport located?
The airport lies at -25.7984, 25.5480 — in Mafeking, North-West, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Morningside Farm Airport, about 137 km away.
Does FAMM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAMM 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 Mmabatho International Airport?
Mmabatho International Airport has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 15,157 ft (4620 m) with a ASP surface.