Arua Airport (HUAR)
Medium airport · Arua, Northern Region, Uganda
Airport data
| Name | Arua Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HUAR |
| IATA | RUA |
| Elevation | 3,951 ft (1204 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 3°2'57" E 30°54'42" 3.04915, 30.91171 |
| Location | Arua, Northern Region, Uganda |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/36 | 5,600 ft (1707 m) | — | Unpaved | No |
Arua Airport at a glance
Arua Airport is a medium airport in Arua, Northern Region, Uganda, known to airline systems as RUA. The field elevation of 3,951 ft (1204 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HUAR 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, 18/36, offers 5,600 ft (1707 m) of unpaved surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 18 points roughly 180° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HUAR 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 Arua Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gulu Airport | HUGU | 153 km (83 NM) |
| Bunia Airport | FZKA | 182 km (98 NM) |
| Juba International Airport | HJJJ | 217 km (117 NM) |
| Yambio Airport | HSYA | 324 km (175 NM) |
| Soroti Airport | HUSO | 335 km (181 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Arua Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,951 ft field elevation of Arua 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 5 airports and airfields we list for Uganda — 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 Arua Airport
What is the ICAO code of Arua Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Arua Airport is HUAR, and its IATA code is RUA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Arua Airport above sea level?
Arua Airport sits at an elevation of 3,951 feet (1204 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Arua Airport located?
The airport lies at 3.0492, 30.9117 — in Arua, Northern Region, Uganda, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gulu Airport, about 153 km away.
Does HUAR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HUAR 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 Arua Airport?
Arua Airport has one runway. The longest, 18/36, measures 5,600 ft (1707 m) with a Unpaved surface.