Mkuze Airport (FAMU)
Medium airport · Mkuze, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Mkuze Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAMU |
| IATA | MZQ |
| Elevation | 400 ft (122 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 27°37'34" E 32°2'39" -27.62610, 32.04430 |
| Location | Mkuze, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/35 | 6,070 ft (1850 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Mkuze Airport at a glance
Mkuze Airport is a medium airport in Mkuze, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, known to airline systems as MZQ. The field elevation of 400 ft (122 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAMU 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, 17/35, offers 6,070 ft (1850 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAMU 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 Mkuze Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport | FAUL | 99 km (53 NM) |
| Richards Bay Airport | FARB | 124 km (67 NM) |
| Matsapha International Airport | FDMS | 142 km (77 NM) |
| King Mswati III International Airport | FDSK | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Maputo Airport | FQMA | 197 km (106 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Mkuze Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 400 ft field elevation of Mkuze 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 Mkuze Airport
What is the ICAO code of Mkuze Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Mkuze Airport is FAMU, and its IATA code is MZQ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Mkuze Airport above sea level?
Mkuze Airport sits at an elevation of 400 feet (122 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Mkuze Airport located?
The airport lies at -27.6261, 32.0443 — in Mkuze, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport, about 99 km away.
Does FAMU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAMU 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 Mkuze Airport?
Mkuze Airport has one runway. The longest, 17/35, measures 6,070 ft (1850 m) with a ASP surface.