Airports / Democratic Republic of the Congo / FBM
Lubumbashi International Airport.
Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo · 4,295 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
3.0/5
Google rating
403 ratings
1
Operators based
4,295
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
63 nm
To the nearest alternate
Kasompe Airport (CGJ).
Overview
Lubumbashi International Airport (FZQA / FBM) is a large commercial airport serving Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The airport sits 4,295 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, Air Katanga is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Kasompe Airport (CGJ, 63 nm), Southdowns Airport (KIW, 87 nm), and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA, 101 nm). With a single 10,623-foot paved runway, FBM can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from FBM depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. In directories and search listings it also appears under Luano Airport. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Lubumbashi.
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Field capability
ICAO
FZQA
IATA
FBM
FAA / Local
FZQA
Elevation
4,295 ft
Coordinates
11.5915° S · 27.5308° 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo fields
state range 915–5,643 ft
At 4,295 ft, FBM sits higher than 81% of the 21 Democratic Republic of the Congo fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 10,623 ft
- 07/2510,623 ft × 164 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 10,623 ft
FBM's 10,623 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, and at 4,295 ft this field's density altitude can extend the runway a jet actually needs on warm days. 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.
- 63nmCGJKasompe AirportChingola
- 87nmKIWSouthdowns AirportKitwe
- 101nmNLASimon Mwansa Kapwepwe International AirportNdola
- 107nmFLNDPeter Zuze Air Force BaseNdola
- 129nmUMBKalumbila AirportKalumbila
- 129nmKWZKolwezi AirportKolwezi
Location
Open the full mapFZQA · Lubumbashi International Airport · Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Lubumbashi International Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from FBM on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 6,260 nm | 14h 57m |
| New York (TEB) | 6,381 nm | 15h 14m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 6,536 nm | 15h 36m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 6,653 nm | 15h 52m |
| Miami (MIA) | 6,661 nm | 15h 53m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 6,982 nm | 16h 38m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 6,998 nm | 16h 40m |
| Houston (HOU) | 7,451 nm | 17h 44m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use FBM?
- Lubumbashi International Airport's longest paved runway is 10,623 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 FBM?
- Lubumbashi International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 10,623 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at FBM?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Lubumbashi International Airport as a home base, including Air Katanga. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to FBM?
- The closest alternate is Kasompe Airport (CGJ), about 63 nm away, followed by Southdowns Airport (KIW) at 87 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from FBM to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 14h 57m (6,260 nm), New York about 15h 14m (6,381 nm), Washington DC about 15h 36m (6,536 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.