Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (FBSK)
Large airport · Gaborone, Gaborone (city), Botswana
Airport data
| Name | Sir Seretse Khama International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FBSK |
| IATA | GBE |
| Elevation | 3,299 ft (1006 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 24°33'19" E 25°55'6" -24.55520, 25.91820 |
| Location | Gaborone, Gaborone (city), Botswana |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 13,123 ft (4000 m) | 148 ft | CON | Yes |
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at a glance
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is a large airport in Gaborone, Gaborone (city), Botswana, known to airline systems as GBE. The field elevation of 3,299 ft (1006 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FBSK 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, 08/26, offers 13,123 ft (4000 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08 points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FBSK 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 Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jwaneng Airport | FBJW | 124 km (67 NM) |
| Mmabatho International Airport | FAMM | 143 km (77 NM) |
| Pilanesberg International Airport | FAPN | 153 km (83 NM) |
| Morningside Farm Airport | FAMS | 162 km (87 NM) |
| Rustenburg Airport | FARG | 182 km (98 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,299 ft field elevation of Sir Seretse Khama 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 7 airports and airfields we list for Botswana — 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 Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is FBSK, and its IATA code is GBE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport above sea level?
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport sits at an elevation of 3,299 feet (1006 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport located?
The airport lies at -24.5552, 25.9182 — in Gaborone, Gaborone (city), Botswana, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Jwaneng Airport, about 124 km away.
Does FBSK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FBSK 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 Sir Seretse Khama International Airport?
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport has one runway. The longest, 08/26, measures 13,123 ft (4000 m) with a CON surface.