Emmen Air Base (LSME)
Medium airport · Emmen, Lucerne, Switzerland
Airport data
| Name | Emmen Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | LSME |
| IATA | EML |
| Elevation | 1,400 ft (427 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 47°5'33" E 8°18'19" 47.09244, 8.30518 |
| Location | Emmen, Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 8,208 ft (2502 m) | 130 ft | ASP | Yes |
Emmen Air Base at a glance
Emmen Air Base is a medium airport in Emmen, Lucerne, Switzerland, known to airline systems as EML. The field elevation of 1,400 ft (427 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at LSME are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 04/22, offers 8,208 ft (2502 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for LSME 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 Emmen Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Alpnach Air Base | LSMA | 17 km (9 NM) |
| Dübendorf Air Base | LSMD | 43 km (23 NM) |
| Zürich Airport | LSZH | 45 km (24 NM) |
| Bern Airport | LSZB | 64 km (35 NM) |
| Grenchen Airfield | LSZG | 68 km (37 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Emmen Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,400 ft field elevation of Emmen 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 Switzerland — 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 Emmen Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Emmen Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Emmen Air Base is LSME, and its IATA code is EML. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Emmen Air Base above sea level?
Emmen Air Base sits at an elevation of 1,400 feet (427 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Emmen Air Base located?
The airport lies at 47.0924, 8.3052 — in Emmen, Lucerne, Switzerland, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Alpnach Air Base, about 17 km away.
Does LSME publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for LSME 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 Emmen Air Base?
Emmen Air Base has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 8,208 ft (2502 m) with a ASP surface.