Airports / Botswana / GBE
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
Gaborone, Botswana · 3,299 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
FBSK
IATA GBE
1
Operators based
3,299
Elevation ft
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
67 nm
To the nearest alternate
Jwaneng Airport (JWA).
Overview
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (FBSK / GBE) is a large commercial airport serving Gaborone, Botswana. The airport sits 3,299 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, Kalahari Air Services is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Jwaneng Airport (JWA, 67 nm), Mmabatho International Airport (MBD, 77 nm), and Pilanesberg International Airport (NTY, 83 nm). With a single 13,123-foot paved runway, GBE can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from GBE depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Gaborone.
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Field capability
ICAO
FBSK
IATA
GBE
FAA / Local
FBSK
Elevation
3,299 ft
Coordinates
24.5552° S · 25.9182° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs Botswana fields
state range 2,925–3,900 ft
At 3,299 ft, GBE sits higher than 71% of the 7 Botswana fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 13,123 ft
- 08/2613,123 ft × 148 ftConcreteLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 13,123 ft
GBE's 13,123 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators1
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 67nmJWAJwaneng AirportJwaneng
- 77nmMBDMmabatho International AirportMafeking
- 83nmNTYPilanesberg International AirportPilanesberg
- 88nmFAMSMorningside Farm AirportSilveroaks
- 98nmFARGRustenburg AirportRustenburg
- 137nmHLALanseria International AirportJohannesburg
Location
Open the full mapFBSK · Sir Seretse Khama International Airport · Gaborone, Botswana
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from GBE on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 6,688 nm | 15h 57m |
| New York (TEB) | 6,786 nm | 16h 11m |
| Miami (MIA) | 6,855 nm | 16h 21m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 6,860 nm | 16h 21m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 6,913 nm | 16h 29m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 7,314 nm | 17h 25m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 7,411 nm | 17h 38m |
| Houston (HOU) | 7,682 nm | 18h 16m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use GBE?
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport's longest paved runway is 13,123 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at GBE?
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 13,123 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at GBE?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Sir Seretse Khama International Airport as a home base, including Kalahari Air Services. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to GBE?
- The closest alternate is Jwaneng Airport (JWA), about 67 nm away, followed by Mmabatho International Airport (MBD) at 77 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from GBE to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 15h 57m (6,688 nm), New York about 16h 11m (6,786 nm), Miami about 16h 21m (6,855 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.