Matan al-Sarra Air Base (HL56)
Medium airport · Al Kufrah District, Libya
Airport data
| Name | Matan al-Sarra Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HL56 |
| Elevation | 1,769 ft (539 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 21°41'16" E 21°49'51" 21.68770, 21.83090 |
| Location | Al Kufrah District, Libya |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01L/19R | 11,013 ft (3357 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 01R/19L | 7,491 ft (2283 m) | 148 ft | ASP | No |
Matan al-Sarra Air Base at a glance
Matan al-Sarra Air Base is a medium airport in Al Kufrah District, Libya. The field elevation of 1,769 ft (539 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HL56 are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 01L/19R — offers 11,013 ft (3357 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01L points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HL56 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 Matan al-Sarra Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kufra Airport | HLKF | 316 km (171 NM) |
| Ouadi Doum Air Base | FTFY | 391 km (211 NM) |
| Faya-Largeau Airport | FTTY | 507 km (274 NM) |
| Abeche Airport | FTTC | 878 km (474 NM) |
| Sabera Geneina Airport | HSSG | 916 km (495 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Matan al-Sarra Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,769 ft field elevation of Matan al-Sarra Air Base 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 13 airports and airfields we list for Libya — 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 Matan al-Sarra Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Matan al-Sarra Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Matan al-Sarra Air Base is HL56, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Matan al-Sarra Air Base above sea level?
Matan al-Sarra Air Base sits at an elevation of 1,769 feet (539 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Matan al-Sarra Air Base located?
The airport lies at 21.6877, 21.8309 — in Al Kufrah District, Libya, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Kufra Airport, about 316 km away.
Does HL56 publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HL56 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 Matan al-Sarra Air Base?
Matan al-Sarra Air Base has 2 runways. The longest, 01L/19R, measures 11,013 ft (3357 m) with a ASP surface.