Manda Airport (HKLU)
Medium airport · Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya
Airport data
| Name | Manda Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HKLU |
| IATA | LAU |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 2°15'9" E 40°54'46" -2.25243, 40.91289 |
| Location | Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 3,054 ft (931 m) | 46 ft | GRE | No |
| 15/33 | 6,561 ft (2000 m) | 105 ft | ASP | No |
Manda Airport at a glance
Manda Airport is a medium airport in Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya, known to airline systems as LAU. The field elevation of 20 ft (6 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HKLU 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 — 15/33 — offers 6,561 ft (2000 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HKLU 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 Manda Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwayu Airport | HKWY | 54 km (29 NM) |
| Malindi International Airport | HKML | 141 km (76 NM) |
| Bura East Airport | HKBR | 167 km (90 NM) |
| Moi International Airport | HKMO | 246 km (133 NM) |
| Kismayo Airport | HCMK | 270 km (146 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Manda Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 20 ft field elevation of Manda 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 24 airports and airfields we list for Kenya — 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 Manda Airport
What is the ICAO code of Manda Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Manda Airport is HKLU, and its IATA code is LAU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Manda Airport above sea level?
Manda Airport sits at an elevation of 20 feet (6 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Manda Airport located?
The airport lies at -2.2524, 40.9129 — in Lamu, Lamu County, Kenya, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Kiwayu Airport, about 54 km away.
Does HKLU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HKLU 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 Manda Airport?
Manda Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 15/33, measures 6,561 ft (2000 m) with a ASP surface.