Santo Pekoa International Airport (NVSS)
Medium airport · Luganville, Sanma, Vanuatu
Airport data
| Name | Santo Pekoa International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NVSS |
| IATA | SON |
| Elevation | 184 ft (56 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 15°30'18" E 167°13'12" -15.50500, 167.22000 |
| Location | Luganville, Sanma, Vanuatu |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 6,523 ft (1988 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Santo Pekoa International Airport at a glance
Santo Pekoa International Airport is a medium airport in Luganville, Sanma, Vanuatu, known to airline systems as SON. The field elevation of 184 ft (56 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NVSS 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, 12/30, offers 6,523 ft (1988 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 12 points roughly 120° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NVSS 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 Santo Pekoa International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gaua Island Airport | NVSQ | 148 km (80 NM) |
| Bauerfield International Airport | NVVV | 271 km (146 NM) |
| Whitegrass Airport | NVVW | 488 km (264 NM) |
| Ouvéa Airport | NWWV | 575 km (311 NM) |
| Lifou Airport | NWWL | 586 km (316 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Santo Pekoa International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 184 ft field elevation of Santo Pekoa 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 4 airports and airfields we list for Vanuatu — 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 Santo Pekoa International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Santo Pekoa International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Santo Pekoa International Airport is NVSS, and its IATA code is SON. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Santo Pekoa International Airport above sea level?
Santo Pekoa International Airport sits at an elevation of 184 feet (56 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Santo Pekoa International Airport located?
The airport lies at -15.5050, 167.2200 — in Luganville, Sanma, Vanuatu, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gaua Island Airport, about 148 km away.
Does NVSS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NVSS 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 Santo Pekoa International Airport?
Santo Pekoa International Airport has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 6,523 ft (1988 m) with a ASP surface.