Nanyuki Civil Airport (HKNL)
Medium airport · Gathiuru, Nyeri County, Kenya
Airport data
| Name | Nanyuki Civil Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HKNL |
| IATA | NYK |
| Elevation | 6,250 ft (1905 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 0°3'44" E 37°2'29" -0.06235, 37.04130 |
| Location | Gathiuru, Nyeri County, Kenya |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 3,900 ft (1189 m) | — | ASP | No |
Nanyuki Civil Airport at a glance
Nanyuki Civil Airport is a medium airport in Gathiuru, Nyeri County, Kenya, known to airline systems as NYK. The field elevation of 6,250 ft (1905 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HKNL 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, 03/21, offers 3,900 ft (1189 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 03 points roughly 30° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HKNL 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 Nanyuki Civil Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Laikipia Air Base | HKNY | 10 km (5 NM) |
| Isiolo Airport | HKIS | 76 km (41 NM) |
| Nakuru Lanet Airport | HKNK | 102 km (55 NM) |
| Moi Air Base | HKRE | 137 km (74 NM) |
| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | HKJK | 140 km (76 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Nanyuki Civil Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 6,250 ft field elevation of Nanyuki Civil 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 Nanyuki Civil Airport
What is the ICAO code of Nanyuki Civil Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Nanyuki Civil Airport is HKNL, and its IATA code is NYK. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Nanyuki Civil Airport above sea level?
Nanyuki Civil Airport sits at an elevation of 6,250 feet (1905 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Nanyuki Civil Airport located?
The airport lies at -0.0624, 37.0413 — in Gathiuru, Nyeri County, Kenya, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Laikipia Air Base, about 10 km away.
Does HKNL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HKNL 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 Nanyuki Civil Airport?
Nanyuki Civil Airport has one runway. The longest, 03/21, measures 3,900 ft (1189 m) with a ASP surface.