Airports / Mali / BKO
Modibo Keita International Airport.
Bamako, Mali · 1,247 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
3.9/5
Google rating
2,030 ratings
1
Operators based
1,247
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
228 nm
To the nearest alternate
Bobo Dioulasso Airport (BOY).
Overview
Modibo Keita International Airport (GABS / BKO) sits in Bamako, Mali, where it functions as a large commercial airport. Field elevation is 1,247 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
For charter flyers, BKO is a home base: Sahel Aviation Service operates from the field. The closest alternate fields are Bobo Dioulasso Airport (BOY, 228 nm), Kayes Dag Dag Airport (KYS, 233 nm), and Korhogo Airport (HGO, 236 nm). The field has a single 10,498-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Trip costs from BKO are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. You may also see the field referenced as Senou Airport. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from BKO to plan your flight.
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Field capability
ICAO
GABS
IATA
BKO
FAA / Local
GABS
Elevation
1,247 ft
Coordinates
12.5335° N · 7.9499° W
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 Mali fields
state range 164–1,247 ft
At 1,247 ft, BKO sits higher than 80% of the 5 Mali fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 10,498 ft
- 06/2410,498 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 10,498 ft
BKO's 10,498 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.
- 228nmBOYBobo Dioulasso AirportBobo Dioulasso
- 233nmKYSKayes Dag Dag AirportKayes
- 236nmHGOKorhogo AirportKorhogo
- 250nmKGGKédougou AirportKédougou
- 255nmMZIMopti AirportSévaré
- 298nmBXEBakel AirportBakel
Location
Open the full mapGABS · Modibo Keita International Airport · Bamako, Mali
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Modibo Keita 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 BKO on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 3,722 nm | 9h 3m |
| New York (TEB) | 3,833 nm | 9h 19m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 3,980 nm | 9h 39m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 4,119 nm | 9h 59m |
| Miami (MIA) | 4,133 nm | 10h 1m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 4,420 nm | 10h 41m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 4,457 nm | 10h 46m |
| Houston (HOU) | 4,896 nm | 11h 47m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use BKO?
- Modibo Keita International Airport's longest paved runway is 10,498 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 BKO?
- Modibo Keita International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 10,498 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at BKO?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Modibo Keita International Airport as a home base, including Sahel Aviation Service. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to BKO?
- The closest alternate is Bobo Dioulasso Airport (BOY), about 228 nm away, followed by Kayes Dag Dag Airport (KYS) at 233 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from BKO to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 9h 3m (3,722 nm), New York about 9h 19m (3,833 nm), Washington DC about 9h 39m (3,980 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.