Airports / Eswatini / MTS
Matsapha International Airport.
Manzini, Eswatini · 2,075 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
FDMS
IATA MTS
0
Operators based
2,075
Elevation ft
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
24 nm
To the nearest alternate
King Mswati III International Airport (SHO).
Overview
Matsapha International Airport (FDMS / MTS) is a mid-sized airport serving Manzini, Eswatini. The airport sits 2,075 feet above sea level. With no scheduled airline service, it caters to private, charter, and general aviation traffic.
No charter operator is headquartered on the field, but operators routinely position aircraft into MTS for departures. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are King Mswati III International Airport (SHO, 24 nm), Barberton Airport (FABR, 52 nm), and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP, 70 nm). With a single 8,530-foot paved runway, MTS can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from MTS depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Manzini.
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Field capability
ICAO
FDMS
IATA
MTS
FAA / Local
FDMS
Elevation
2,075 ft
Coordinates
26.5289° S · 31.3076° 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
Medium
Scheduled svc
No
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 8,530 ft
- 07/258,530 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 8,530 ft
MTS's 8,530 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.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 24nmSHOKing Mswati III International AirportMpaka
- 52nmFABRBarberton AirportUmjindi (Barberton)
- 70nmMQPKruger Mpumalanga International AirportMbombela
- 71nmFAEOErmelo AirportErmelo
- 77nmMZQMkuze AirportMkuze
- 77nmMPMMaputo AirportMaputo
Location
Open the full mapFDMS · Matsapha International Airport · Manzini, Eswatini
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from MTS on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 6,992 nm | 16h 40m |
| New York (TEB) | 7,093 nm | 16h 54m |
| Miami (MIA) | 7,169 nm | 17h 4m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 7,174 nm | 17h 5m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 7,223 nm | 17h 12m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 7,628 nm | 18h 8m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 7,719 nm | 18h 21m |
| Houston (HOU) | 7,997 nm | 19h 0m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use MTS?
- Matsapha International Airport's longest paved runway is 8,530 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 MTS?
- Matsapha International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 8,530 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to MTS?
- The closest alternate is King Mswati III International Airport (SHO), about 24 nm away, followed by Barberton Airport (FABR) at 52 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from MTS to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 16h 40m (6,992 nm), New York about 16h 54m (7,093 nm), Miami about 17h 4m (7,169 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.