Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport (FAUL)
Medium airport · Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAUL |
| IATA | ULD |
| Elevation | 1,720 ft (524 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 28°19'14" E 31°24'59" -28.32060, 31.41650 |
| Location | Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 5,381 ft (1640 m) | 75 ft | ASP | Yes |
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport at a glance
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport is a medium airport in Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, known to airline systems as ULD. The field elevation of 1,720 ft (524 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAUL 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, 05/23, offers 5,381 ft (1640 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAUL 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 Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Richards Bay Airport | FARB | 81 km (44 NM) |
| Mkuze Airport | FAMU | 99 km (53 NM) |
| King Shaka International Airport | FALE | 147 km (79 NM) |
| Newcastle Airport | FANC | 154 km (83 NM) |
| Virginia Airport | FAVG | 165 km (89 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,720 ft field elevation of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi 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 Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport
What is the ICAO code of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport is FAUL, and its IATA code is ULD. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport above sea level?
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport sits at an elevation of 1,720 feet (524 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport located?
The airport lies at -28.3206, 31.4165 — in Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Richards Bay Airport, about 81 km away.
Does FAUL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAUL 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 Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport?
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 5,381 ft (1640 m) with a ASP surface.