Cairns International Airport (YBCS)
Large airport · Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Cairns International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YBCS |
| IATA | CNS |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 16°52'44" E 145°44'58" -16.87892, 145.74948 |
| Location | Cairns, Queensland, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 10,489 ft (3197 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Cairns International Airport at a glance
Cairns International Airport is a large airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, known to airline systems as CNS. The field elevation of 10 ft (3 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YBCS 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, 15/33, offers 10,489 ft (3197 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YBCS 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 Cairns International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mareeba Airport | YMBA | 41 km (22 NM) |
| Cooktown Airport | YCKN | 171 km (92 NM) |
| Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville | YBTL | 285 km (154 NM) |
| Coen Airport | YCOE | 447 km (241 NM) |
| Kowanyama Airport | YKOW | 454 km (245 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Cairns International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 10 ft field elevation of Cairns 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 194 airports and airfields we list for Australia — 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 Cairns International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Cairns International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Cairns International Airport is YBCS, and its IATA code is CNS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Cairns International Airport above sea level?
Cairns International Airport sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Cairns International Airport located?
The airport lies at -16.8789, 145.7495 — in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Mareeba Airport, about 41 km away.
Does YBCS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YBCS 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 Cairns International Airport?
Cairns International Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 10,489 ft (3197 m) with a ASP surface.