Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Daylight today(Aug 29, 2026, local time)
About 11h 39m of daylight. Civil twilight (dawn/dusk) approximates the FAA definition of night for logging and currency. Times are computed and approximate — verify with official sources.
About Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is an airport serving Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. It is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of Bulawayo city centre.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
Live weather
FVBUNOTAMs
FVBUReference only — not an official briefing. Always obtain a certified briefing (e.g. 1800wxbrief.com / your AIS) before flight.
NOTAM data via the FAA NOTAM system.
Live departures & arrivals
Flight data by AeroDataBox. Times are estimates — not for navigation; confirm with the airline.
Where you can fly from here
Current scheduled routes & daily frequency by AeroDataBox. Approximate — confirm bookable schedules with the airline.
Live traffic nearby
Aircraft currently within ~40 nm, from live ADS-B. Positions are approximately real-time — not for navigation.
Live ADS-B by adsb.lol & the OpenSky Network. Not for navigation.
Map
Runway centrelines, navaids and overlapping airspace. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only — not for navigation.
Runways (2)
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighting | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 / 31 | 8,491 ft / 2,588 m | 148 ft | Asp | Lighted | Open |
| 02 / 20 | 4,419 ft / 1,347 m | 98 ft | Asp | Unlit | Open |
Radio frequencies (2)
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | NKOMO APP | 119.700 MHz |
| TWR | NKOMO TWR | 118.300 MHz |
Services & operations
The airport has a total annual passenger capacity of 1.5 million and features two runways.
From the airport’s official website — details may change, so confirm with the airport. Official site
Navaids(2)
Airlines & destinations
Route data from OpenFlights — historical and may be out of date. Check current schedules.
Weather by month
Share of VFR / marginal-VFR / IFR / low-IFR conditions by month over the last 8 years, with the prevailing wind and typical density altitude. Historical climatology — not a forecast.
Prevailing wind: ESE (from about 112.5°), on 28% of observations, averaging 10 kt.
| Month | VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR | % VFR | Median DA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 97% | 6,518 ft | |
| Feb | 75% | 6,117 ft | |
| Mar | 84% | 6,199 ft | |
| Apr | 89% | 5,795 ft | |
| May | 92% | 5,739 ft | |
| Jun | 100% | 5,394 ft | |
| Jul | 68% | 4,559 ft | |
| Aug | 98% | 5,917 ft | |
| Sep | 100% | 6,426 ft |
VFR MVFR IFR LIFR· density altitude ranges ~4,559–6,518 ft through the year· Source: NWS/IEM ASOS archive.
Nearby airports
Great-circle distance and true bearing from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICAO code for Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport?
The ICAO code for Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is FVBU, and its IATA code is BUQ.
Where is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport located?
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is large airport located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, at an elevation of 4,359 ft (1,329 m).
How many runways does Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport have?
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport has 2 runways, the longest being 8,491 ft / 2,588 m.
Which airlines fly to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport?
Airlines historically serving Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport include Air Zimbabwe, South African Airways (based on OpenFlights route data, which may be out of date).
How many destinations are served from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport?
Historical data lists 3 nonstop destinations from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. Always check current schedules.
What time zone is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in?
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is in the Africa/Harare time zone (UTC+02:00).
What is the magnetic variation at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport?
The magnetic variation (declination) at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is approximately 11.6° W, per the World Magnetic Model. Variation changes slowly over time — always use the current value charted for navigation.
What airports are near Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport?
The nearest airport to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is Umguza Airfield (ZW-0069), about 7.6 nm to the nw, followed by Inyati Airport and Filabusi Airport.
Is the information on this page suitable for flight planning?
No. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport data here is for reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult official sources and current charts before any flight.