List of Airports in Lesotho
As of 2024, there are 17 airports throughout the country of Lesotho according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Lesotho are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Lesotho
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebakeng Airport | LEF | Lebakeng | Small |
| 2 | Leribe Airport | LRB | Leribe | Small |
| 3 | Lesobeng Airport | LES | Lesobeng | Small |
| 4 | Mafeteng Airport | MFC | Mafeteng | Small |
| 5 | Matsaile Airport | MSG | Matsaile | Small |
| 6 | Mokhotlong Airport | MKH | Mokhotlong | Small |
| 7 | Moshoeshoe International Airport | MSU | Maseru | Small |
| 8 | Nkaus Airport | NKU | Nkaus | Small |
| 9 | Pelaneng Airport | PEL | Pelaneng | Small |
| 10 | Qachas Nek Airport | UNE | Qachas Nek | Small |
| 11 | Quthing Airport | UTG | Quthing | Small |
| 12 | Sehonghong Airport | SHK | Sehonghong | Small |
| 13 | Sekakes Airport | SKQ | Sekakes | Small |
| 14 | Semongkong Airport | SOK | Semongkong | Small |
| 15 | Seshutes Airport | SHZ | Seshutes | Small |
| 16 | Thaba-Tseka Airport | THB | Thaba-Tseka | Small |
| 17 | Tlokoeng Airport | TKO | Tlokoeng | Small |
Major Airports in Lesotho
1. Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU)
Airport Code: MSU
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Maseru, Lesotho
Nearby Cities:
- Maseru (8 miles)
- Mazenod (15 miles)
- Teyateyaneng (31 miles)
- Mafeteng (40 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Airlink
- South African Airways
- Ethiopian Airlines (seasonal)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Moshoeshoe I International Airport is the primary international airport in Lesotho, located in the capital city of Maseru. The airport is named after Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation. Originally constructed in the 1960s and upgraded multiple times, the airport serves as a crucial link for air travel into and out of Lesotho. It is strategically important for both domestic and regional connectivity, especially for travelers from South Africa, as Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by South Africa.
Over the years, the airport has undergone renovations to increase capacity and improve passenger services. The airport serves as a gateway for tourists visiting Lesotho’s highlands and adventure tourism activities, such as hiking, skiing, and cultural experiences. Moshoeshoe I International Airport also supports trade and cargo flights, which are vital for Lesotho’s economy, especially as the country’s key imports and exports are often routed through South African ports and airports.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Moshoeshoe I International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 1: 3,000 meters (9,843 feet), capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport features a terminal offering essential services such as check-in counters, baggage handling, food outlets, and duty-free shops. The runway is designed to accommodate medium-sized aircraft but does not support larger wide-body jets. The airport has been gradually improving its infrastructure to cater to increasing passenger numbers, and ongoing upgrades will support future growth. The airport also plays a significant role in facilitating regional air travel, especially between Lesotho and South Africa.
2. Mafeteng Airport (MFG)
Airport Code: MFG
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Mafeteng, Lesotho
Nearby Cities:
- Mafeteng (0 miles)
- Maseru (40 miles)
- Mohale’s Hoek (30 miles)
- Teyateyaneng (80 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for domestic and regional flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Mafeteng Airport is located in the town of Mafeteng, about 40 miles south of Lesotho’s capital, Maseru. It is a small regional airport serving domestic flights within Lesotho. Originally developed to improve connectivity for rural and remote regions, the airport plays a key role in providing access to essential services for residents and businesses in southern Lesotho. The airport’s role is primarily domestic, with a focus on regional flights within the country.
Although it has a small terminal and basic infrastructure, Mafeteng Airport is crucial for local transportation and for supporting trade and business in the area. The airport facilitates access to important neighboring towns and acts as a supplementary transportation link to the capital and other regions of Lesotho. Given its location, Mafeteng Airport serves as a secondary option for air travel within Lesotho and is used by charter services and occasional regional flights.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mafeteng Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft, including light aircraft.
The airport has minimal facilities, including check-in counters and basic services for regional flights. The runway can accommodate small aircraft and is primarily used for short regional flights within Lesotho. Mafeteng Airport is not designed for large commercial aircraft, but it plays an important role in the regional air transport network, supporting small-scale domestic operations and local aviation needs.
3. Leribe Airport (LRB)
Airport Code: LRB
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Leribe, Lesotho
Nearby Cities:
- Leribe (0 miles)
- Butha-Buthe (20 miles)
- Maseru (75 miles)
- Mohale’s Hoek (150 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (mainly used for domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Leribe Airport is located in the northern part of Lesotho, serving the town of Leribe, which is a vital commercial and agricultural center in the region. The airport was established to support local connectivity and to help meet the transportation needs of the northern region. While it is smaller compared to Moshoeshoe I International Airport, it serves as a vital point for travelers in the surrounding areas.
The airport also provides access to surrounding towns and rural areas, helping to improve mobility in a region that is often more difficult to reach by road due to the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Leribe Airport is used for domestic flights and occasional regional flights, primarily linking the northern parts of Lesotho with the capital and other regions of the country.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Leribe Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport has basic facilities, including a small terminal with check-in counters and baggage handling services. The runway supports small to medium-sized aircraft, but it is not equipped to handle larger aircraft. Leribe Airport is primarily used for domestic flights and is vital for connecting northern Lesotho to the capital and other regions within the country.
4. Qacha’s Nek Airport (QNE)
Airport Code: QNE
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Qacha’s Nek, Lesotho
Nearby Cities:
- Qacha’s Nek (0 miles)
- Libono (22 miles)
- Mohale’s Hoek (80 miles)
- Maseru (160 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 500 passengers
Airport Location and History
Qacha’s Nek Airport is located in the southeastern part of Lesotho, near the town of Qacha’s Nek. The airport was developed to provide access to the remote southeastern region of Lesotho, which is known for its rugged terrain and isolated communities. The airport primarily handles domestic flights and occasional charter services, connecting Qacha’s Nek with the capital and other parts of the country.
The region served by the airport is known for its natural beauty and is a growing destination for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. Qacha’s Nek Airport plays a key role in improving access to this part of Lesotho, providing essential transportation services to residents, businesses, and tourists. While the airport does not handle large-scale international traffic, it remains an important asset for local connectivity and travel.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Qacha’s Nek Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport has minimal facilities, mainly providing services for check-in and baggage handling. The runway supports small aircraft used for regional flights. Due to the remote location of the airport, it is primarily used for short domestic flights and is essential for maintaining air travel connectivity in the southeastern part of Lesotho.
5. Mohale’s Hoek Airport (MHK)
Airport Code: MHK
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho
Nearby Cities:
- Mohale’s Hoek (0 miles)
- Mafeteng (55 miles)
- Maseru (120 miles)
- Quthing (75 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200 passengers
Airport Location and History
Mohale’s Hoek Airport is located in the southern part of Lesotho, near the town of Mohale’s Hoek. The airport plays an essential role in providing access to the southern regions of the country, which are typically harder to reach due to the mountainous terrain. The airport is used primarily for domestic flights and serves as a point for local and regional travel. Although it has not experienced the same level of traffic as larger airports like Moshoeshoe I, Mohale’s Hoek Airport remains a vital infrastructure asset for the region.
The airport supports the agricultural economy of the southern region and is a crucial link for transporting goods and people. The town of Mohale’s Hoek is important for local industry and commerce, and the airport facilitates connectivity for both business and tourism.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mohale’s Hoek Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport has minimal facilities, offering basic services for regional flights. The runway is designed to accommodate small to medium-sized aircraft, but it cannot handle larger commercial jets. While Mohale’s Hoek Airport is not a major international hub, it remains an essential part of Lesotho’s domestic air network, ensuring that the southern region has access to air travel services.