Cairo International Airport (HECA)
Large airport · Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Airport data
| Name | Cairo International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HECA |
| IATA | CAI |
| Elevation | 322 ft (98 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 30°6'42" E 31°23'48" 30.11153, 31.39669 |
| Location | Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05C/23C | 13,123 ft (4000 m) | 197 ft | Asphalt | Yes |
| 05L/23R | 10,827 ft (3300 m) | 197 ft | Asphalt | Yes |
| 05R/23L | 13,124 ft (4000 m) | 197 ft | Asphalt | Yes |
Cairo International Airport at a glance
Cairo International Airport is a large airport in Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, known to airline systems as CAI. The field elevation of 322 ft (98 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HECA are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 05R/23L — offers 13,124 ft (4000 m) of asphalt surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05R points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HECA 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 Cairo International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Almaza Air Force Base | HEAZ | 4 km (2 NM) |
| Bilbeis Air Base | HE37 | 37 km (20 NM) |
| Capital International Airport | HECP | 43 km (23 NM) |
| Bilbeis 2 Airfield | EG-0003 | 44 km (24 NM) |
| Cairo West Air Base | HECW | 46 km (25 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Cairo International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 322 ft field elevation of Cairo 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 33 airports and airfields we list for Egypt — 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 Cairo International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Cairo International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Cairo International Airport is HECA, and its IATA code is CAI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Cairo International Airport above sea level?
Cairo International Airport sits at an elevation of 322 feet (98 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Cairo International Airport located?
The airport lies at 30.1115, 31.3967 — in Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Almaza Air Force Base, about 4 km away.
Does HECA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HECA 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 Cairo International Airport?
Cairo International Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 05R/23L, measures 13,124 ft (4000 m) with a Asphalt surface.