Kariba Airport (FVKB)
Medium airport · Kariba, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe
Airport data
| Name | Kariba Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FVKB |
| IATA | KAB |
| Elevation | 1,706 ft (520 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 16°31'11" E 28°53'6" -16.51980, 28.88500 |
| Location | Kariba, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 5,413 ft (1650 m) | 49 ft | ASP | Yes |
Kariba Airport at a glance
Kariba Airport is a medium airport in Kariba, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, known to airline systems as KAB. The field elevation of 1,706 ft (520 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FVKB 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 5,413 ft (1650 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 FVKB 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 Kariba Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lusaka City Airport | FLLC | 137 km (74 NM) |
| Kenneth Kaunda International Airport | FLKK | 140 km (76 NM) |
| Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport | FVRG | 282 km (152 NM) |
| Hwange National Park Airport | FVWN | 307 km (166 NM) |
| Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base | FVTL | 340 km (184 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kariba Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,706 ft field elevation of Kariba 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 9 airports and airfields we list for Zimbabwe — 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 Kariba Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kariba Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kariba Airport is FVKB, and its IATA code is KAB. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kariba Airport above sea level?
Kariba Airport sits at an elevation of 1,706 feet (520 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kariba Airport located?
The airport lies at -16.5198, 28.8850 — in Kariba, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Lusaka City Airport, about 137 km away.
Does FVKB publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FVKB 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 Kariba Airport?
Kariba Airport has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 5,413 ft (1650 m) with a ASP surface.