Melbourne Essendon Airport (YMEN)
Medium airport · Essendon Fields, Victoria, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Melbourne Essendon Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YMEN |
| IATA | MEB |
| Elevation | 282 ft (86 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 37°43'41" E 144°54'7" -37.72810, 144.90199 |
| Location | Essendon Fields, Victoria, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 6,302 ft (1921 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 17/35 | 4,311 ft (1314 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Melbourne Essendon Airport at a glance
Melbourne Essendon Airport is a medium airport in Essendon Fields, Victoria, Australia, known to airline systems as MEB. The field elevation of 282 ft (86 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YMEN 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 — 08/26 — offers 6,302 ft (1921 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08 points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YMEN 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 Melbourne Essendon Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Airport | YMML | 9 km (5 NM) |
| Melbourne Moorabbin Airport | YMMB | 33 km (18 NM) |
| Melbourne Avalon International Airport | YMAV | 52 km (28 NM) |
| Latrobe Valley Airport | YLTV | 148 km (80 NM) |
| Shepparton Airport | YSHT | 151 km (82 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Melbourne Essendon Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 282 ft field elevation of Melbourne Essendon 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 Melbourne Essendon Airport
What is the ICAO code of Melbourne Essendon Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Melbourne Essendon Airport is YMEN, and its IATA code is MEB. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Melbourne Essendon Airport above sea level?
Melbourne Essendon Airport sits at an elevation of 282 feet (86 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Melbourne Essendon Airport located?
The airport lies at -37.7281, 144.9020 — in Essendon Fields, Victoria, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Melbourne Airport, about 9 km away.
Does YMEN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YMEN 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 Melbourne Essendon Airport?
Melbourne Essendon Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 08/26, measures 6,302 ft (1921 m) with a ASP surface.