Malakal International Airport (HSSM)
Medium airport · Malakal, Upper Nile State, South Sudan
Airport data
| Name | Malakal International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HSSM |
| IATA | MAK |
| Elevation | 1,291 ft (393 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 9°33'31" E 31°39'7" 9.55874, 31.65194 |
| Location | Malakal, Upper Nile State, South Sudan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 6,562 ft (2000 m) | 125 ft | ASP | No |
Malakal International Airport at a glance
Malakal International Airport is a medium airport in Malakal, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, known to airline systems as MAK. The field elevation of 1,291 ft (393 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HSSM 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, 04/22, offers 6,562 ft (2000 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HSSM 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 Malakal International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Paloich Airport | HJPH | 142 km (77 NM) |
| Renk Airport | HSRN | 264 km (143 NM) |
| Asosa Airport | HASO | 326 km (176 NM) |
| Gambela Airport | HAGM | 357 km (193 NM) |
| El-Obeid Airport | HSOB | 429 km (232 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Malakal International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,291 ft field elevation of Malakal 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 6 airports and airfields we list for South Sudan — 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 Malakal International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Malakal International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Malakal International Airport is HSSM, and its IATA code is MAK. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Malakal International Airport above sea level?
Malakal International Airport sits at an elevation of 1,291 feet (393 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Malakal International Airport located?
The airport lies at 9.5587, 31.6519 — in Malakal, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Paloich Airport, about 142 km away.
Does HSSM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HSSM 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 Malakal International Airport?
Malakal International Airport has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 6,562 ft (2000 m) with a ASP surface.