Gautam Buddha International Airport (VNBW)
Large airport · Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa), Lumbini Province, Nepal
Airport data
| Name | Gautam Buddha International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VNBW |
| IATA | BWA |
| Elevation | 358 ft (109 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 27°30'17" E 83°24'37" 27.50464, 83.41038 |
| Location | Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa), Lumbini Province, Nepal |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 9,843 ft (3000 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Gautam Buddha International Airport at a glance
Gautam Buddha International Airport is a large airport in Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa), Lumbini Province, Nepal, known to airline systems as BWA. The field elevation of 358 ft (109 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VNBW 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 9,843 ft (3000 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 VNBW 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 Gautam Buddha International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gorakhpur Airport | VEGK | 85 km (46 NM) |
| Kushinagar International Airport | VEKI | 94 km (51 NM) |
| Pokhara Domestic Airport | VNPK | 96 km (52 NM) |
| Pokhara International Airport | VNPR | 96 km (52 NM) |
| Maharshi Valmiki International Airport | VEAY | 149 km (80 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Gautam Buddha International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 358 ft field elevation of Gautam Buddha International 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 9 airports and airfields we list for Nepal — 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 Gautam Buddha International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Gautam Buddha International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Gautam Buddha International Airport is VNBW, and its IATA code is BWA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Gautam Buddha International Airport above sea level?
Gautam Buddha International Airport sits at an elevation of 358 feet (109 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Gautam Buddha International Airport located?
The airport lies at 27.5046, 83.4104 — in Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa), Lumbini Province, Nepal, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gorakhpur Airport, about 85 km away.
Does VNBW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VNBW 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 Gautam Buddha International Airport?
Gautam Buddha International Airport has one runway. The longest, 10/28, measures 9,843 ft (3000 m) with a ASP surface.