Elcho Island Airport (YELD)
Medium airport · Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Elcho Island Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YELD |
| IATA | ELC |
| Elevation | 101 ft (31 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 12°1'10" E 135°34'16" -12.01940, 135.57100 |
| Location | Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 4,724 ft (1440 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Elcho Island Airport at a glance
Elcho Island Airport is a medium airport in Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia, known to airline systems as ELC. The field elevation of 101 ft (31 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YELD 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 4,724 ft (1440 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 YELD 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 Elcho Island Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gove Airport | YPGV | 138 km (75 NM) |
| Maningrida Airport | YMGD | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Groote Eylandt Airport | YGTE | 238 km (129 NM) |
| Ngukurr Airport | YNGU | 314 km (170 NM) |
| Tindal Airport | YPTN | 444 km (240 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Elcho Island Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 101 ft field elevation of Elcho Island 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 Elcho Island Airport
What is the ICAO code of Elcho Island Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Elcho Island Airport is YELD, and its IATA code is ELC. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Elcho Island Airport above sea level?
Elcho Island Airport sits at an elevation of 101 feet (31 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Elcho Island Airport located?
The airport lies at -12.0194, 135.5710 — in Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gove Airport, about 138 km away.
Does YELD publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YELD 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 Elcho Island Airport?
Elcho Island Airport has one runway. The longest, 10/28, measures 4,724 ft (1440 m) with a ASP surface.