Nampula Airport

Overview

Nampula Airport is the main air gateway for Nampula in northern Mozambique and is classified as a large airport, making it an important arrival point for visitors heading into the city and the surrounding region. It operates under the codes APL and FQNP and sits at an elevation of 1444 feet (440 m), a detail that matters mostly behind the scenes for flight operations but also helps explain why weather and air conditions can feel a little different from lower-lying coastal areas.

Runways and Operations

For travellers, the most practical thing to know is that Nampula Airport has two runways, giving it operational flexibility. The primary runway, 05/23, measures 6562 feet and has an asphalt surface with lighting, which supports more regular aircraft movements and helps with operations in lower-light conditions. A second runway, 13/31, is 5135 feet long and gravel-surfaced, adding extra utility for airport traffic even though it is less likely to be relevant to most ordinary passengers.

Quick facts

• Official name: Nampula Airport
• Location served: Nampula, Mozambique
• IATA code: APL
• ICAO code: FQNP
• Time zone: Africa/Maputo
• Airport type: large airport

What this means for travellers

In practical terms, Nampula Airport is a straightforward regional access point rather than a vast, complex hub, which can make arrivals and departures feel more manageable. Knowing the airport’s local time zone, Africa/Maputo, is especially useful when checking flight times, arranging pickups, or planning onward road travel. If you are building extra time into your itinerary, it is sensible to allow for normal airport processes while keeping plans flexible, especially when connecting onward within Mozambique.