King Khalid Air Base (OEKM)
Medium airport · Khamis Mushait, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia
Airport data
| Name | King Khalid Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OEKM |
| IATA | KMX |
| Elevation | 6,778 ft (2066 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 18°17'50" E 42°48'13" 18.29730, 42.80350 |
| Location | Khamis Mushait, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 12,467 ft (3800 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 14/32 | 12,467 ft (3800 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
King Khalid Air Base at a glance
King Khalid Air Base is a medium airport in Khamis Mushait, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia, known to airline systems as KMX. The field elevation of 6,778 ft (2066 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OEKM are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 06/24 — offers 12,467 ft (3800 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for OEKM 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 King Khalid Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Abha International Airport | OEAB | 17 km (9 NM) |
| Jizan Regional Airport / King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport | OEGN | 157 km (85 NM) |
| Najran Domestic Airport | OENG | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Bisha Airport | OEBH | 189 km (102 NM) |
| King Saud Bin Abdulaziz (Al Baha) Airport | OEBA | 254 km (137 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for King Khalid Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 6,778 ft field elevation of King Khalid 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 40 airports and airfields we list for Saudi Arabia — 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 King Khalid Air Base
What is the ICAO code of King Khalid Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of King Khalid Air Base is OEKM, and its IATA code is KMX. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is King Khalid Air Base above sea level?
King Khalid Air Base sits at an elevation of 6,778 feet (2066 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is King Khalid Air Base located?
The airport lies at 18.2973, 42.8035 — in Khamis Mushait, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Abha International Airport, about 17 km away.
Does OEKM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OEKM 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 King Khalid Air Base?
King Khalid Air Base has 2 runways. The longest, 06/24, measures 12,467 ft (3800 m) with a ASP surface.