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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Harare, Harare Metropolitan Province (Zimbabwe)
IATA: HRE ICAO: FVRG
Longest Active Runway
15,502 ft
4,725 meters
Field Elevation
4,887 ft
1,490 m MSL
Runway Inventory
1 active
Lighted / Paved
Coordinates & Class
-17.9318°, 31.0928°
LARGE AIRPORT
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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →
RunwayFacts Published Dataset
#5 of 650
In curated primary commercial index
Global Commercial Universe
#10 of 7558
Top <0.1% percentile worldwide
National Standing (Zimbabwe)
#1 in ZW
#1 of 9 in full national registry
vs Large Airport Median
+55%
Compared to 10,000 ft baseline
💡 Statistical Statement: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport's longest active runway measures 15,502 ft (4,725 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #5. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #10 worldwide (Top <0.1%) and #1 nationally in Zimbabwe.
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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare features one of civil aviation's most formidable physical runways. Situated on the high Zimbabwean plateau at 4,887 ft above sea level, summer midday temperatures degrade air density substantially. The extraordinary 15,502 ft asphalt runway ensures that intercontinental widebodies can carry full passenger, cargo, and fuel loads direct to Europe without refueling stops.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments
Single paved Runway 05/23 (15,502 ft / 4,725 m).
Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities
Opened in 1956 as Salisbury Airport; renamed Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in 2017. Commissioned a comprehensive Chinese-funded terminal modernization in 2023.
Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role
Primary aviation gateway of Zimbabwe, located 148 NM northeast of Bulawayo (BUQ).
Data Nuances & Operational Quirks
Runway 05/23 measures an extraordinary 15,502 ft (4,725 m)—among the longest civil runways in the world—engineered explicitly to counter severe hot-and-high density altitude at 4,887 ft elevation.
📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Zimbabwe National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards
Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.
ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy
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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Mid-Altitude Plateau / Valley Facility

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 4,887 ft (1,490 m MSL) in Harare. Operating in high density-altitude conditions, aircraft true airspeed on takeoff and landing runs noticeably higher than indicated airspeed, requiring extended runway lengths.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Primary aviation gateway of Zimbabwe, located 148 NM northeast of Bulawayo (BUQ). The facility operates as an isolated regional aviation anchor with no other major paved commercial aerodromes within 100 NM.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 15,502 ft (4,725 m)

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport's active flight strips comprise 05/23 (15,502 ft). With a longest active threshold of 15,502 ft (4,725 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator Length (ft / m) Width (ft / m) Surface Material Lighting Status
05/23 15,502 ft (4725m) 151 ft (46m) Asphalt (ASP) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database
Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01
Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected
Source Verification: Source-reported registry data
Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/hre.json ↗