Kolwezi Airport (FZQM)
Medium airport · Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Airport data
| Name | Kolwezi Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FZQM |
| IATA | KWZ |
| Elevation | 5,007 ft (1526 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 10°45'57" E 25°30'21" -10.76590, 25.50570 |
| Location | Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 5,741 ft (1750 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Kolwezi Airport at a glance
Kolwezi Airport is a medium airport in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, known to airline systems as KWZ. The field elevation of 5,007 ft (1526 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FZQM 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, 11/29, offers 5,741 ft (1750 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FZQM 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 Kolwezi Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kalumbila Airport | ZM-0045 | 166 km (90 NM) |
| Kamina Air Base | FZSA | 238 km (129 NM) |
| Lubumbashi International Airport | FZQA | 239 km (129 NM) |
| Kasompe Airport | FLKE | 329 km (178 NM) |
| Southdowns Airport | FLSO | 373 km (201 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kolwezi Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,007 ft field elevation of Kolwezi 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 22 airports and airfields we list for Democratic Republic of the Congo — 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 Kolwezi Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kolwezi Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kolwezi Airport is FZQM, and its IATA code is KWZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kolwezi Airport above sea level?
Kolwezi Airport sits at an elevation of 5,007 feet (1526 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kolwezi Airport located?
The airport lies at -10.7659, 25.5057 — in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Kalumbila Airport, about 166 km away.
Does FZQM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FZQM 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 Kolwezi Airport?
Kolwezi Airport has one runway. The longest, 11/29, measures 5,741 ft (1750 m) with a ASP surface.