Sado Airport (RJSD)
Medium airport · Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Airport data
| Name | Sado Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | RJSD |
| IATA | SDS |
| Elevation | 88 ft (27 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°3'37" E 138°24'50" 38.06020, 138.41400 |
| Location | Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Japan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 3,390 ft (1033 m) | 85 ft | ASP | Yes |
Sado Airport at a glance
Sado Airport is a medium airport in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, known to airline systems as SDS. The field elevation of 88 ft (27 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at RJSD 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, 10/28, offers 3,390 ft (1033 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for RJSD 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 Sado Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Niigata Airport | RJSN | 62 km (33 NM) |
| Shonai Airport | RJSY | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Noto Satoyama Airport | RJNW | 154 km (83 NM) |
| Yamagata Airport | RJSC | 175 km (95 NM) |
| Toyama Kitokito Airport | RJNT | 191 km (103 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sado Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 88 ft field elevation of Sado 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 108 airports and airfields we list for Japan — 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 Sado Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sado Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sado Airport is RJSD, and its IATA code is SDS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sado Airport above sea level?
Sado Airport sits at an elevation of 88 feet (27 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sado Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.0602, 138.4140 — in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Niigata Airport, about 62 km away.
Does RJSD publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for RJSD 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 Sado Airport?
Sado Airport has one runway. The longest, 10/28, measures 3,390 ft (1033 m) with a ASP surface.