Dwangwa Airport (FWDW)
Medium airport · Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, Malawi
Airport data
| Name | Dwangwa Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FWDW |
| IATA | DWA |
| Elevation | 1,605 ft (489 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 12°31'3" E 34°7'55" -12.51753, 34.13188 |
| Location | Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, Malawi |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/32 | 3,980 ft (1213 m) | — | — | No |
Dwangwa Airport at a glance
Dwangwa Airport is a medium airport in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, Malawi, known to airline systems as DWA. The field elevation of 1,605 ft (489 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FWDW are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 14/32, offers 3,980 ft (1213 m), without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 14 points roughly 140° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FWDW 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 Dwangwa Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mzuzu Airport | FWUU | 120 km (65 NM) |
| Kamuzu International Airport | FWKI | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Lichinga Airport | FQLC | 149 km (80 NM) |
| Mfuwe International Airport | FLMF | 252 km (136 NM) |
| Karonga Airport | FWKA | 286 km (154 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Dwangwa Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,605 ft field elevation of Dwangwa 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 5 airports and airfields we list for Malawi — 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 Dwangwa Airport
What is the ICAO code of Dwangwa Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Dwangwa Airport is FWDW, and its IATA code is DWA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Dwangwa Airport above sea level?
Dwangwa Airport sits at an elevation of 1,605 feet (489 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Dwangwa Airport located?
The airport lies at -12.5175, 34.1319 — in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, Malawi, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Mzuzu Airport, about 120 km away.
Does FWDW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FWDW 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 Dwangwa Airport?
Dwangwa Airport has one runway. The longest, 14/32, measures 3,980 ft (1213 m).