Mount Isa Airport (YBMA)
Medium airport · Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Mount Isa Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YBMA |
| IATA | ISA |
| Elevation | 1,121 ft (342 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 20°39'59" E 139°29'18" -20.66638, 139.48847 |
| Location | Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 8,399 ft (2560 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Mount Isa Airport at a glance
Mount Isa Airport is a medium airport in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, known to airline systems as ISA. The field elevation of 1,121 ft (342 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YBMA 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, 16/34, offers 8,399 ft (2560 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YBMA 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 Mount Isa Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cloncurry Airport | YCCY | 106 km (57 NM) |
| Boulia Airport | YBOU | 253 km (137 NM) |
| Normanton Airport | YNTN | 371 km (200 NM) |
| Bedourie Airport | YBIE | 409 km (221 NM) |
| Winton Airport | YWTN | 417 km (225 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Mount Isa Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,121 ft field elevation of Mount Isa 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 Mount Isa Airport
What is the ICAO code of Mount Isa Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Mount Isa Airport is YBMA, and its IATA code is ISA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Mount Isa Airport above sea level?
Mount Isa Airport sits at an elevation of 1,121 feet (342 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Mount Isa Airport located?
The airport lies at -20.6664, 139.4885 — in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Cloncurry Airport, about 106 km away.
Does YBMA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YBMA 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 Mount Isa Airport?
Mount Isa Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 8,399 ft (2560 m) with a ASP surface.