Rayak Air Base (OLRA)
Medium airport · Rayak, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon
Airport data
| Name | Rayak Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OLRA |
| Elevation | 3,018 ft (920 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 33°51'3" E 35°59'16" 33.85080, 35.98770 |
| Location | Rayak, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 9,740 ft (2969 m) | 148 ft | CON | Yes |
Rayak Air Base at a glance
Rayak Air Base is a medium airport in Rayak, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. The field elevation of 3,018 ft (920 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OLRA 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 9,740 ft (2969 m) of con 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 OLRA 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 Rayak Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport | OLBA | 46 km (25 NM) |
| Wujah Al Hajar Air Base | Z19O | 56 km (30 NM) |
| Damascus International Airport | OSDI | 69 km (37 NM) |
| An Nasiriyah Air Base | OS64 | 81 km (44 NM) |
| Rene Mouawad Air Base | OLKA | 82 km (44 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Rayak Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,018 ft field elevation of Rayak 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 Rayak Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Rayak Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Rayak Air Base is OLRA, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Rayak Air Base above sea level?
Rayak Air Base sits at an elevation of 3,018 feet (920 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Rayak Air Base located?
The airport lies at 33.8508, 35.9877 — in Rayak, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, about 46 km away.
Does OLRA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OLRA 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 Rayak Air Base?
Rayak Air Base has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 9,740 ft (2969 m) with a CON surface.