Nairobi Wilson Airport (HKNW)
Medium airport · Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Airport data
| Name | Nairobi Wilson Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HKNW |
| IATA | WIL |
| Elevation | 5,536 ft (1687 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 1°19'18" E 36°48'53" -1.32172, 36.81480 |
| Location | Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25 | 4,798 ft (1462 m) | 72 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 14/32 | 5,052 ft (1540 m) | 76 ft | ASP | No |
Nairobi Wilson Airport at a glance
Nairobi Wilson Airport is a medium airport in Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya, known to airline systems as WIL. The field elevation of 5,536 ft (1687 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HKNW 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 — 14/32 — offers 5,052 ft (1540 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 14 points roughly 140° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HKNW 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 Nairobi Wilson Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Moi Air Base | HKRE | 7 km (4 NM) |
| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | HKJK | 13 km (7 NM) |
| Nakuru Lanet Airport | HKNK | 135 km (73 NM) |
| Nanyuki Civil Airport | HKNL | 142 km (77 NM) |
| Laikipia Air Base | HKNY | 152 km (82 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Nairobi Wilson Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,536 ft field elevation of Nairobi Wilson 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 Nairobi Wilson Airport
What is the ICAO code of Nairobi Wilson Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Nairobi Wilson Airport is HKNW, and its IATA code is WIL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Nairobi Wilson Airport above sea level?
Nairobi Wilson Airport sits at an elevation of 5,536 feet (1687 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Nairobi Wilson Airport located?
The airport lies at -1.3217, 36.8148 — in Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Moi Air Base, about 7 km away.
Does HKNW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HKNW 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 Nairobi Wilson Airport?
Nairobi Wilson Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 14/32, measures 5,052 ft (1540 m) with a ASP surface.