Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (HESH)
Large airport · Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt
Airport data
| Name | Sharm El Sheikh International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HESH |
| IATA | SSH |
| Elevation | 191 ft (58 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 27°58'38" E 34°23'41" 27.97727, 34.39472 |
| Location | Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04L/22R | 10,108 ft (3081 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 04R/22L | 10,108 ft (3081 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport at a glance
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is a large airport in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, known to airline systems as SSH. The field elevation of 191 ft (58 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HESH 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 2 runways, the longest — 04L/22R — offers 10,108 ft (3081 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04L points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HESH 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 Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Catherine International Airport | HESC | 85 km (46 NM) |
| Neom Bay Airport | OENN | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Hurghada International Airport | HEGN | 107 km (58 NM) |
| Taba International Airport | HETB | 184 km (99 NM) |
| King Hussein International Airport | OJAQ | 192 km (104 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 191 ft field elevation of Sharm El Sheikh 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 Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is HESH, and its IATA code is SSH. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sharm El Sheikh International Airport above sea level?
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport sits at an elevation of 191 feet (58 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sharm El Sheikh International Airport located?
The airport lies at 27.9773, 34.3947 — in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Saint Catherine International Airport, about 85 km away.
Does HESH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HESH 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 Sharm El Sheikh International Airport?
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 04L/22R, measures 10,108 ft (3081 m) with a ASP surface.