Kowanyama Airport (YKOW)
Medium airport · Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Kowanyama Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YKOW |
| IATA | KWM |
| Elevation | 35 ft (11 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 15°29'7" E 141°45'9" -15.48537, 141.75257 |
| Location | Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 4,528 ft (1380 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Kowanyama Airport at a glance
Kowanyama Airport is a medium airport in Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia, known to airline systems as KWM. The field elevation of 35 ft (11 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YKOW 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, 12/30, offers 4,528 ft (1380 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 12 points roughly 120° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YKOW 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 Kowanyama Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Coen Airport | YCOE | 241 km (130 NM) |
| Normanton Airport | YNTN | 255 km (138 NM) |
| Weipa Airport | YBWP | 313 km (169 NM) |
| Lockhart River Airport | YLHR | 344 km (186 NM) |
| Cooktown Airport | YCKN | 368 km (199 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kowanyama Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 35 ft field elevation of Kowanyama 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 Kowanyama Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kowanyama Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kowanyama Airport is YKOW, and its IATA code is KWM. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kowanyama Airport above sea level?
Kowanyama Airport sits at an elevation of 35 feet (11 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kowanyama Airport located?
The airport lies at -15.4854, 141.7526 — in Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Coen Airport, about 241 km away.
Does YKOW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YKOW 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 Kowanyama Airport?
Kowanyama Airport has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 4,528 ft (1380 m) with a ASP surface.