List of Airports in Liberia
As of 2024, there are 17 airports throughout the country of Liberia according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Liberia are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Liberia
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A. Tubman Airport | CPA | Cape Palmas | Small |
| 2 | AFC Airport | XSA | Sinoe | Small |
| 3 | Bella Yella Airport | BYL | Bella Yella | Small |
| 4 | Buchanan Airport | UCN | Buchanan | Small |
| 5 | Foya Airport | FOY | Foya | Small |
| 6 | Grand Cess Airport | GRC | Grand Cess | Small |
| 7 | Nimba Airport | NIA | Nimba | Small |
| 8 | R.E. Murray Airport | SNI | Sinoe | Small |
| 9 | Rivercess Airport | RVC | Rivercess | Small |
| 10 | Roberts International Airport | ROB | Monrovia | Small |
| 11 | Sasstown Airport | SAZ | Sasstown | Small |
| 12 | Sprigg Payne Airport | MLW | Monrovia | Small |
| 13 | Tapeta Airport | TPT | Tapeta | Small |
| 14 | Tchien Airport | THC | Tchien | Small |
| 15 | Voinjama Airport | VOI | Voinjama | Small |
| 16 | Weasua Airport | WES | Weasua | Small |
| 17 | Wologissi Airport | WOI | Wologissi | Small |
Major Airports in Liberia
1. Roberts International Airport (ROB)
Airport Code: ROB
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1)
Address: Robertsfield, Lower Margibi County, Liberia
Nearby Cities:
- Monrovia (30 miles)
- Paynesville (27 miles)
- Kakata (38 miles)
- Buchanan (85 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Air France
- Kenya Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Royal Air Maroc
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 250,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Roberts International Airport (RIA), also known as Robertsfield, is the main international airport in Liberia, located about 30 miles east of Monrovia, the capital. The airport was established in 1942 as an airbase and later expanded for civilian use in the 1970s. It was named in honor of Liberia’s 19th president, Charles D. B. King Roberts. Over the years, the airport has been a crucial gateway for international travelers visiting Liberia, particularly during the post-war reconstruction era.
Roberts International serves as the hub for Liberia’s international flights, primarily connecting to European and African destinations. The airport’s strategic location near the capital city makes it a vital infrastructure asset for trade, tourism, and business. After the country’s civil war, Roberts International Airport underwent several renovations and upgrades to improve its facilities and safety measures, aiming to boost tourism and commercial activity. The airport is critical for connecting Liberia with the rest of the world.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Roberts International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 3,600 meters (11,811 feet), capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets.
The airport features a modern terminal that handles both international and domestic flights, offering services such as check-in counters, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and lounges. The runway is long enough to accommodate large aircraft, including wide-body jets, making it capable of handling long-haul flights. The terminal is well-equipped to support increasing passenger traffic, and the airport is expected to continue upgrading its facilities to meet future demands.
2. Spriggs Payne Airport (MLW)
Airport Code: MLW
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1)
Address: Monrovia, Liberia
Nearby Cities:
- Monrovia (0 miles)
- Paynesville (3 miles)
- Harbel (7 miles)
- Buchanan (90 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- FlyWestair
- Liberia Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 10,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Spriggs Payne Airport is located in the capital city of Monrovia, serving as a secondary airport for domestic and regional flights. The airport was originally used by the U.S. military and later became a commercial airport in the post-civil war era. While Roberts International handles the majority of Liberia’s international traffic, Spriggs Payne focuses primarily on domestic flights and regional services.
The airport is named after Colonel Robert Payne, a former U.S. Navy officer who contributed to the development of the airport in the 1940s. Today, Spriggs Payne Airport supports flights within Liberia and to neighboring West African countries, providing an essential transportation link for the country’s internal and regional connectivity. The airport plays an important role in facilitating economic activities, especially in terms of trade and business between Liberia and other African nations.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Spriggs Payne Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,000 meters (6,561 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s terminal is basic, offering check-in counters, baggage handling, and essential services for domestic and regional travelers. The runway can accommodate small to medium-sized aircraft but is not capable of handling large wide-body jets. Spriggs Payne Airport mainly serves as a hub for domestic and regional flights within West Africa, with plans for future improvements to enhance capacity and facilities to support growing passenger numbers.
3. Gbarnga Airport (GBG)
Airport Code: GBG
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1)
Address: Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia
Nearby Cities:
- Gbarnga (0 miles)
- Kakata (50 miles)
- Monrovia (125 miles)
- Zorzor (30 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for charter flights and domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 500 passengers
Airport Location and History
Gbarnga Airport is located in Gbarnga, the capital of Bong County in central Liberia. The airport was built to serve the region, providing access to this rural area, which is far from Liberia’s main urban centers. The airport is primarily used for charter flights, cargo services, and occasional domestic flights to other parts of the country.
While it does not handle commercial international flights, Gbarnga Airport plays a significant role in serving the needs of the local population, supporting business, humanitarian aid, and government travel. The airport’s role in providing a transportation link to remote parts of Liberia is important for economic development in Bong County.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Gbarnga Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport has basic facilities that cater primarily to domestic and charter flights. The runway can handle small to medium-sized aircraft, but it is not designed for larger commercial jets. The airport is essential for connecting Gbarnga and the surrounding regions with the capital, Monrovia, and other areas of Liberia, particularly for transporting goods and passengers within the country.
4. Buchanan Airport (BUQ)
Airport Code: BUQ
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1)
Address: Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia
Nearby Cities:
- Buchanan (0 miles)
- Greenville (40 miles)
- Monrovia (80 miles)
- Harper (120 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for charter and regional flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 300 passengers
Airport Location and History
Buchanan Airport is located in Buchanan, a coastal city in Grand Bassa County, Liberia. Buchanan is known for its deep-water port and its importance as a commercial and industrial center. The airport serves as a regional hub, handling mostly domestic flights and occasional regional flights within West Africa.
Originally, Buchanan Airport served military and civilian purposes during the 20th century but has been underutilized in recent years. The airport has recently been revitalized to serve the region better, supporting the logistics of industries like mining and shipping. Buchanan Airport is crucial for connecting Liberia’s interior to the coast and for supporting business travel and commerce.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Buchanan Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,000 meters (6,561 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft.
The airport’s infrastructure includes basic amenities such as check-in counters and baggage handling. The runway is capable of accommodating small to medium-sized aircraft but does not have the capacity for large commercial jets. Buchanan Airport continues to serve as a vital infrastructure asset for the region, supporting local travel and the economy.
5. Harper Airport (HAP)
Airport Code: HAP
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1)
Address: Harper, Maryland County, Liberia
Nearby Cities:
- Harper (0 miles)
- Buchanan (120 miles)
- Monrovia (180 miles)
- Greenville (80 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (used for charter and regional flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200 passengers
Airport Location and History
Harper Airport is located in Harper, the capital of Maryland County in southern Liberia. The airport serves as a regional airstrip for local flights and is important for connecting this remote region of Liberia with the capital, Monrovia, and other parts of the country. Harper is an important trade and transport hub for the southeastern part of Liberia, and the airport plays a role in supporting the local economy and providing access to essential services.
The airport is used mainly for domestic and charter flights, with occasional cargo flights serving the needs of the local communities. While not as developed as other airports in Liberia, Harper Airport is crucial for maintaining transportation links in the southern region.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Harper Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small aircraft.
The airport has basic facilities and is primarily used for domestic flights and regional travel. The runway supports small to medium-sized aircraft but does not have the capacity to handle large, wide-body jets. Harper Airport is vital for providing access to the southern regions of Liberia, particularly in terms of regional travel, business, and humanitarian aid.