Wanaka Airport (NZWF)
Medium airport · Wanaka, Otago Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Wanaka Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWF |
| IATA | WKA |
| Elevation | 1,142 ft (348 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 44°43'20" E 169°14'47" -44.72209, 169.24629 |
| Location | Wanaka, Otago Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 3,937 ft (1200 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Wanaka Airport at a glance
Wanaka Airport is a medium airport in Wanaka, Otago Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WKA. The field elevation of 1,142 ft (348 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWF 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, 11/29, offers 3,937 ft (1200 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWF 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 Wanaka Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown Airport | NZQN | 51 km (28 NM) |
| Alexandra Aerodrome | NZLX | 55 km (30 NM) |
| Pukaki Airport | NZUK | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Glentanner Airport | NZGT | 115 km (62 NM) |
| Mount Cook Airport | NZMC | 128 km (69 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Wanaka Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,142 ft field elevation of Wanaka 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 39 airports and airfields we list for New Zealand — 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 Wanaka Airport
What is the ICAO code of Wanaka Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Wanaka Airport is NZWF, and its IATA code is WKA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Wanaka Airport above sea level?
Wanaka Airport sits at an elevation of 1,142 feet (348 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Wanaka Airport located?
The airport lies at -44.7221, 169.2463 — in Wanaka, Otago Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Queenstown Airport, about 51 km away.
Does NZWF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWF 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 Wanaka Airport?
Wanaka Airport has one runway. The longest, 11/29, measures 3,937 ft (1200 m) with a ASP surface.