Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (FLSK)
Large airport · Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia
Airport data
| Name | Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FLSK |
| IATA | NLA |
| Elevation | 4,308 ft (1313 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 12°57'54" E 28°30'56" -12.96513, 28.51562 |
| Location | Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
About Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport on Wikipedia
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 11,483 ft (3500 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport at a glance
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport is a large airport in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, known to airline systems as NLA. The field elevation of 4,308 ft (1313 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FLSK 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, 09/27, offers 11,483 ft (3500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FLSK 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 Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Zuze Air Force Base | FLND | 16 km (9 NM) |
| Southdowns Airport | FLSO | 40 km (22 NM) |
| Kasompe Airport | FLKE | 80 km (43 NM) |
| Lubumbashi International Airport | FZQA | 186 km (100 NM) |
| Kenneth Kaunda International Airport | FLKK | 263 km (142 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 4,308 ft field elevation of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe 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 10 airports and airfields we list for Zambia — 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 Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport is FLSK, and its IATA code is NLA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport above sea level?
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport sits at an elevation of 4,308 feet (1313 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport located?
The airport lies at -12.9651, 28.5156 — in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Peter Zuze Air Force Base, about 16 km away.
Does FLSK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FLSK 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 Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport?
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 11,483 ft (3500 m) with a ASP surface.