Rene Mouawad Air Base (OLKA)
Medium airport · Tripoli, North Governorate, Lebanon
Airport data
| Name | Rene Mouawad Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OLKA |
| IATA | KYE |
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 34°35'21" E 36°0'41" 34.58930, 36.01130 |
| Location | Tripoli, North Governorate, Lebanon |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 9,843 ft (3000 m) | 148 ft | CON | Yes |
Rene Mouawad Air Base at a glance
Rene Mouawad Air Base is a medium airport in Tripoli, North Governorate, Lebanon, known to airline systems as KYE. The field elevation of 75 ft (23 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OLKA 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, 06/24, offers 9,843 ft (3000 m) of con 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 OLKA 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 Rene Mouawad Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wujah Al Hajar Air Base | Z19O | 46 km (25 NM) |
| Al Qusayr Air Base | OS70 | 51 km (28 NM) |
| Rayak Air Base | OLRA | 82 km (44 NM) |
| Latakia International Airport | OSLK | 90 km (49 NM) |
| Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport | OLBA | 98 km (53 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Rene Mouawad Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 75 ft field elevation of Rene Mouawad 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 4 airports and airfields we list for Lebanon — 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 Rene Mouawad Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Rene Mouawad Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Rene Mouawad Air Base is OLKA, and its IATA code is KYE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Rene Mouawad Air Base above sea level?
Rene Mouawad Air Base sits at an elevation of 75 feet (23 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Rene Mouawad Air Base located?
The airport lies at 34.5893, 36.0113 — in Tripoli, North Governorate, Lebanon, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wujah Al Hajar Air Base, about 46 km away.
Does OLKA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OLKA 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 Rene Mouawad Air Base?
Rene Mouawad Air Base has one runway. The longest, 06/24, measures 9,843 ft (3000 m) with a CON surface.