King Mswati III International Airport (FDSK)

Large airport · Mpaka, Lubombo Region, Eswatini

Airport data

NameKing Mswati III International Airport
ICAOFDSK
IATASHO
Elevation1,092 ft (333 m) above mean sea level
CoordinatesS 26°21'31" E 31°43'1"
-26.35861, 31.71694
LocationMpaka, Lubombo Region, Eswatini
Scheduled serviceYes

About King Mswati III International Airport on Wikipedia

Runways

RunwayLengthWidthSurfaceLighted
02/2011,811 ft (3600 m)197 ftASPYes

King Mswati III International Airport at a glance

King Mswati III International Airport is a large airport in Mpaka, Lubombo Region, Eswatini, known to airline systems as SHO. The field elevation of 1,092 ft (333 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FDSK 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, 02/20, offers 11,811 ft (3600 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.

For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FDSK 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 King Mswati III International Airport

Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.

AirportCodeDistance
Matsapha International AirportFDMS45 km (24 NM)
Maputo AirportFQMA98 km (53 NM)
Barberton AirportFABR103 km (56 NM)
Kruger Mpumalanga International AirportFAKN125 km (68 NM)
Mkuze AirportFAMU145 km (78 NM)

Flight-planning notes for King Mswati III International Airport

Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,092 ft field elevation of King Mswati III 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 2 airports and airfields we list for Eswatini — 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 King Mswati III International Airport

What is the ICAO code of King Mswati III International Airport?

The ICAO identifier of King Mswati III International Airport is FDSK, and its IATA code is SHO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.

How high is King Mswati III International Airport above sea level?

King Mswati III International Airport sits at an elevation of 1,092 feet (333 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.

Where exactly is King Mswati III International Airport located?

The airport lies at -26.3586, 31.7169 — in Mpaka, Lubombo Region, Eswatini, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Matsapha International Airport, about 45 km away.

Does FDSK publish METAR weather reports?

Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FDSK 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 King Mswati III International Airport?

King Mswati III International Airport has one runway. The longest, 02/20, measures 11,811 ft (3600 m) with a ASP surface.

Current METAR & TAF for FDSK