Karratha Airport (YPKA)
Medium airport · Karratha, Western Australia, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Karratha Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YPKA |
| IATA | KTA |
| Elevation | 29 ft (9 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 20°42'44" E 116°46'23" -20.71220, 116.77300 |
| Location | Karratha, Western Australia, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 7,480 ft (2280 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Karratha Airport at a glance
Karratha Airport is a medium airport in Karratha, Western Australia, Australia, known to airline systems as KTA. The field elevation of 29 ft (9 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YPKA 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, 08/26, offers 7,480 ft (2280 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 YPKA 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 Karratha Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Eliwana | YEWA | 191 km (103 NM) |
| Port Hedland International Airport | YPPD | 197 km (106 NM) |
| Paraburdoo Airport | YPBO | 291 km (157 NM) |
| Learmonth Airport | YPLM | 325 km (176 NM) |
| Newman Airport | YNWN | 434 km (234 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Karratha Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 29 ft field elevation of Karratha 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 Karratha Airport
What is the ICAO code of Karratha Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Karratha Airport is YPKA, and its IATA code is KTA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Karratha Airport above sea level?
Karratha Airport sits at an elevation of 29 feet (9 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Karratha Airport located?
The airport lies at -20.7122, 116.7730 — in Karratha, Western Australia, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Eliwana, about 191 km away.
Does YPKA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YPKA 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 Karratha Airport?
Karratha Airport has one runway. The longest, 08/26, measures 7,480 ft (2280 m) with a ASP surface.