Sainte Marie Airport (FMMS)
Medium airport · Vohilava, Toamasina, Madagascar
Airport data
| Name | Sainte Marie Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FMMS |
| IATA | SMS |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 17°5'38" E 49°48'57" -17.09390, 49.81580 |
| Location | Vohilava, Toamasina, Madagascar |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 3,451 ft (1052 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Sainte Marie Airport at a glance
Sainte Marie Airport is a medium airport in Vohilava, Toamasina, Madagascar, known to airline systems as SMS. The field elevation of 7 ft (2 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FMMS 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, 01/19, offers 3,451 ft (1052 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FMMS 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 Sainte Marie Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mananara Nord Airport | FMNC | 104 km (56 NM) |
| Toamasina Ambalamanasy Airport | FMMT | 122 km (66 NM) |
| Maroantsetra Airport | FMNR | 185 km (100 NM) |
| Antsirabe Airport | FMNH | 239 km (129 NM) |
| Andapa Airport | FMND | 272 km (147 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sainte Marie Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 7 ft field elevation of Sainte Marie 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 23 airports and airfields we list for Madagascar — 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 Sainte Marie Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sainte Marie Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sainte Marie Airport is FMMS, and its IATA code is SMS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sainte Marie Airport above sea level?
Sainte Marie Airport sits at an elevation of 7 feet (2 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sainte Marie Airport located?
The airport lies at -17.0939, 49.8158 — in Vohilava, Toamasina, Madagascar, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Mananara Nord Airport, about 104 km away.
Does FMMS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FMMS 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 Sainte Marie Airport?
Sainte Marie Airport has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 3,451 ft (1052 m) with a ASP surface.