5/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Immigration checking was very fast because we were at service passport line.”
M Ricy Ismail5★ on Google
Airports / Australia / MEL
Large airport · MEL
Melbourne Airport.
Melbourne, Australia · 434 ft elevation. 8 charter operators based here.
3.8/5
Google rating
21,986 ratings
8
Operators based
434
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Melbourne, AustraliaELEV 434 FTLarge airportScheduled service
3.8
Google rating
21,986
Google reviews
ratings on Google
8
Based operators
charter operators on the field
434
Field elevation
feet above sea level
5
Nearest alternate
nm to MEB
Field standing
8 operators
Charter fleet based on the field
More resident charter operators than 94% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.
5 nm
To the nearest alternate
Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB), 3 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Melbourne Airport (YMML / MEL) sits in Melbourne, Australia, where it functions as a large commercial airport. Field elevation is 434 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
For charter flyers, MEL is a home base: Ambulance Victoria, Australian Corporate Jet Centres PTY, LTD, and Executive Airlines operate from the field, 8 in all. The closest alternate fields are Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB, 5 nm), Melbourne Moorabbin Airport (MBW, 22 nm), and Melbourne Avalon International Airport (AVV, 28 nm). The field has 2 runways, the longest 11,998-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Trip costs from MEL are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. You may also see the field referenced as Melbourne International and Tullamarine. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from MEL to plan your flight.
Run an FBO at YMML? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
5/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“There were several telecom vendors selling SIM cards for around 20–30 AUD, along with various food outlets, snack bars, and souvenir shops”
M Ricy Ismail5★ on Google
4/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Immigration checking was very fast because we were at service passport line.”
M Ricy Ismail5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Melbourne Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
YMML
IATA
MEL
FAA / Local
YMML
Elevation
434 ft
Coordinates
37.6707° S · 144.8379° 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 Australia fields
state range 7–4,260 ft
At 434 ft, MEL sits higher than 52% of the 191 Australia fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 11,998 ft
- 16/3411,998 ft × 197 ftAsphaltLighted
- 09/277,500 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 11,998 ft
MEL's 11,998 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 operators8
- Australian Corporate Jet Centres PTY, LTDMelbourne · Part 1355.0(6)7 aircraft · YMML
- Jet City Pty Ltd.Melbourne · Part 1354 aircraft · YMML
- ShortStop Jet CharterMelbourne · Part 1354.6(31)3 aircraft · YMML
- Sky TradersMelbourne · Part 1353 aircraft · YMML
- Ambulance VictoriaMelbourne · Part 1355.0(8)1 aircraft · YMML
- Executive AirlinesMelbourne · Part 1351 aircraft · YMML
- Southern Cross JetsMelbourne · Part 1354.4(5)YMML
- Little Aviation Pty LtdMelbourne · Part 135YMML
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 5nmMEBMelbourne Essendon AirportEssendon Fields
- 22nmMBWMelbourne Moorabbin AirportMelbourne
- 28nmAVVMelbourne Avalon International AirportGeelong/Melbourne
- 79nmSHTShepparton Airport
- 84nmTGNLatrobe Valley AirportMorwell
- 87nmBLNBenalla AirportBenalla
Location
Open the full mapYMML · Melbourne Airport · Melbourne, Australia
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Melbourne 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 MEL on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | 4,792 nm | 11h 33m |
| Anchorage (ANC) | 6,727 nm | 16h 3m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 6,833 nm | 16h 17m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 6,893 nm | 16h 26m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 7,091 nm | 16h 53m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 7,113 nm | 16h 57m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 7,163 nm | 17h 3m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 7,349 nm | 17h 29m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use MEL?
- Melbourne Airport's longest paved runway is 11,998 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 MEL?
- Melbourne Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 11,998 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at MEL?
- Yes. 8 charter operators list Melbourne Airport as a home base, including Ambulance Victoria, Australian Corporate Jet Centres PTY, LTD, Executive Airlines. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to MEL?
- The closest alternate is Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB), about 5 nm away, followed by Melbourne Moorabbin Airport (MBW) at 22 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from MEL to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Honolulu about 11h 33m (4,792 nm), Anchorage about 16h 3m (6,727 nm), San Francisco about 16h 17m (6,833 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.