Meekatharra Airport (YMEK)
Medium airport · Western Australia, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Meekatharra Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YMEK |
| IATA | MKR |
| Elevation | 1,713 ft (522 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 26°36'42" E 118°32'53" -26.61170, 118.54800 |
| Location | Western Australia, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 7,156 ft (2181 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 15/33 | 3,494 ft (1065 m) | 98 ft | SAN | No |
Meekatharra Airport at a glance
Meekatharra Airport is a medium airport in Western Australia, Australia, known to airline systems as MKR. The field elevation of 1,713 ft (522 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YMEK are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 09/27 — offers 7,156 ft (2181 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YMEK 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 Meekatharra Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wiluna Airport | YWLU | 166 km (90 NM) |
| Mount Magnet Airport | YMOG | 181 km (98 NM) |
| Mount Keith Airport | YMNE | 213 km (115 NM) |
| Leinster Airport | YLST | 253 km (137 NM) |
| Leonora Airport | YLEO | 371 km (200 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Meekatharra Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,713 ft field elevation of Meekatharra 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 Meekatharra Airport
What is the ICAO code of Meekatharra Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Meekatharra Airport is YMEK, and its IATA code is MKR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Meekatharra Airport above sea level?
Meekatharra Airport sits at an elevation of 1,713 feet (522 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Meekatharra Airport located?
The airport lies at -26.6117, 118.5480 — in Western Australia, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wiluna Airport, about 166 km away.
Does YMEK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YMEK 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 Meekatharra Airport?
Meekatharra Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 09/27, measures 7,156 ft (2181 m) with a ASP surface.