Massawa International Airport (HHMS)
Medium airport · Massawa, Northern Red Sea Region, Eritrea
Airport data
| Name | Massawa International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HHMS |
| IATA | MSW |
| Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 15°40'12" E 39°22'12" 15.67000, 39.37010 |
| Location | Massawa, Northern Red Sea Region, Eritrea |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25 | 11,483 ft (3500 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Massawa International Airport at a glance
Massawa International Airport is a medium airport in Massawa, Northern Red Sea Region, Eritrea, known to airline systems as MSW. The field elevation of 194 ft (59 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HHMS 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, 07/25, offers 11,483 ft (3500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 07 points roughly 70° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HHMS 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 Massawa International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Asmara International Airport | HHAS | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Axum Airport | HAAX | 181 km (98 NM) |
| Mekele Alula Aba Nega Airport | HAMK | 246 km (133 NM) |
| Kassala Airport | HSKA | 327 km (177 NM) |
| Jizan Regional Airport / King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport | OEGN | 370 km (200 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Massawa International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 194 ft field elevation of Massawa 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 3 airports and airfields we list for Eritrea — 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 Massawa International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Massawa International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Massawa International Airport is HHMS, and its IATA code is MSW. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Massawa International Airport above sea level?
Massawa International Airport sits at an elevation of 194 feet (59 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Massawa International Airport located?
The airport lies at 15.6700, 39.3701 — in Massawa, Northern Red Sea Region, Eritrea, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Asmara International Airport, about 65 km away.
Does HHMS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HHMS 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 Massawa International Airport?
Massawa International Airport has one runway. The longest, 07/25, measures 11,483 ft (3500 m) with a ASP surface.