4/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Baggage collection was relatively quick, and the overall process of entering and leaving the airport was smooth.”
Yaser5★ on Google
Airports / Mauritania / NKC
Large airport · NKC
Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport.
Nouakchott, Mauritania · 9 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
3.9/5
Google rating
673 ratings
1
Operators based
9
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Nouakchott, MauritaniaELEV 9 FTLarge airportScheduled service
3.9
Google rating
673
Google reviews
ratings on Google
1
Based operators
charter operators on the field
9
Field elevation
feet above sea level
139
Nearest alternate
nm to XLS
Field standing
139 nm
To the nearest alternate
Saint Louis Airport (XLS).
Overview
Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (GQNO / NKC) sits in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where it functions as a large commercial airport. The airport sits 9 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, Global Aviation is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Saint Louis Airport (XLS, 139 nm), Nouadhibou International Airport (NDB, 168 nm), and Atar International Airport (ATR, 212 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 11,155-foot paved runway, NKC can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from NKC depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. In directories and search listings it also appears under Nouakchott and Oumtounsy. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Nouakchott.
Run an FBO at GQNO? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
4/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Navigation throughout the terminal is straightforward, and signs are easy to follow, even for first-time visitors.”
Yaser5★ on Google
3/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“It offers a modern, clean, and efficient travel experience with helpful staff and excellent facilities.”
Yaser5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
GQNO
IATA
NKC
FAA / Local
GQNO
Elevation
9 ft
Coordinates
18.3100° N · 15.9697° 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
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 11,155 ft
- 16/3411,155 ft × 197 ftConcreteLighted
- 06/247,875 ft × 148 ftConcreteLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 11,155 ft
NKC's 11,155 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.
- 139nmXLSSaint Louis AirportSaint Louis
- 168nmNDBNouadhibou International AirportNouadhibou
- 212nmATRAtar International AirportAtar
- 223nmMAXOuro Sogui AirportOuro Sogui
- 228nmDSSBlaise Diagne International AirportDakar
- 231nmDKRLéopold Sédar Senghor International AirportDakar
Location
Open the full mapGQNO · Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport · Nouakchott, Mauritania
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Nouakchott–Oumtounsy 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 NKC on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 3,144 nm | 7h 43m |
| New York (TEB) | 3,254 nm | 7h 58m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 3,400 nm | 8h 18m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 3,558 nm | 8h 40m |
| Miami (MIA) | 3,574 nm | 8h 43m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 3,842 nm | 9h 20m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 3,878 nm | 9h 25m |
| Houston (HOU) | 4,325 nm | 10h 27m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use NKC?
- Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport's longest paved runway is 11,155 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 NKC?
- Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 11,155 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at NKC?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport as a home base, including Global Aviation. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to NKC?
- The closest alternate is Saint Louis Airport (XLS), about 139 nm away, followed by Nouadhibou International Airport (NDB) at 168 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from NKC to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 7h 43m (3,144 nm), New York about 7h 58m (3,254 nm), Washington DC about 8h 18m (3,400 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.