Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (YPDN)
Large airport · Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YPDN |
| IATA | DRW |
| Elevation | 103 ft (31 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 12°24'54" E 130°52'55" -12.41497, 130.88185 |
| Location | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
About Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin on Wikipedia
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 11,004 ft (3354 m) | 197 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 18/36 | 5,000 ft (1524 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin at a glance
Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin is a large airport in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, known to airline systems as DRW. The field elevation of 103 ft (31 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YPDN 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 — 11/29 — offers 11,004 ft (3354 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YPDN 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 Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bathurst Island Airport | YBTI | 78 km (42 NM) |
| Snake Bay Airport | YSNK | 114 km (62 NM) |
| Garden Point Airport | YGPT | 123 km (66 NM) |
| Port Keats Airport | YPKT | 251 km (136 NM) |
| Tindal Airport | YPTN | 285 km (154 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 103 ft field elevation of Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin 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 Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin
What is the ICAO code of Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin?
The ICAO identifier of Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin is YPDN, and its IATA code is DRW. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin above sea level?
Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin sits at an elevation of 103 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 Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin located?
The airport lies at -12.4150, 130.8818 — in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Bathurst Island Airport, about 78 km away.
Does YPDN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YPDN 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 Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin?
Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin has 2 runways. The longest, 11/29, measures 11,004 ft (3354 m) with a ASP surface.