Matsapha Airport

FDMS / MTS

Manzini, SZ

Last Updated
Apr 22, 12:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 55 min ago
12:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 17°C
4 kt
180°
5 km
Visibility
1,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FDMS 221200Z 18004KT 5000 RA SCT005 BKN015 OVC025 18/17 Q1019 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 2,075 ft
SCT 500 ft AGL
BKN 1,500 ft AGL
OVC 2,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,575 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,575 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,575 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Matsapha Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 2,500 feet and 5 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (180°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 5 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. The ceiling is 1500 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 18°C (64°F) with a dewpoint of 17°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 6 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Rain. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Rain between 11:00Z and 18:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
950 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (2,075 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,903 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,761 ft
ISA Deviation: +7.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF FDMS 221000Z 2212/2218 17010KT 9999 BKB030 TX21/2212Z TN16/2218Z PROB30 TEMPO 2211/2218 7000 -RA BKN015
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
12:54Z BASE
+0h
VFR 170° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
DMS
07
25 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 07/25
Active: 25
8,530 ft 148 ft ASP 53°
1.4 kt 3.8 kt
70° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - FDMS

1,722 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
91.3%
MVFR
8.3%
IFR
0.4%
LIFR
0%

Matsapha Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 91.3% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.2 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.1% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 12°C and 36°C with an average of 24°C. The best months for VFR flying are February, April, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 11.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.6%
NE
6%
E
32.6%
SE
4.9%
S
34.9%
SW
0.3%
W
1.4%
NW
1.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 24°C
Range: 12°C to 36°C
12°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.1%

Best Months for VFR

February April October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt

Statistics computed from 1,722 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Matsapha Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FDMS
IATA Code: MTS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,075 ft MSL

Location

City: Manzini
Country: SZ
Latitude: -26.528999°
Longitude: 31.307501°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-2

Runway Information

Runway 07/25
Length: 8,530 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Matsapha Airport

Overview

Matsapha Airport serves Manzini, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) as a medium-sized airport situated at 2,075 feet above mean sea level. Located at coordinates -26.528999, 31.307501, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region with its single 8,530-foot asphalt runway oriented 07/25.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Matsapha Airport are predominantly favorable for visual flight rules (VFR), with 88.1% of observations supporting clear flying conditions. The airport experiences consistent easterly winds averaging 6.2 knots, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 36°C and an average of 23°C. Visibility typically remains excellent at around 10 statute miles, with minimal occurrences of reduced visibility or fog.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway (07/25) demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind conditions. Crosswinds are minimal, averaging just 4 knots, which contributes to reliable operational conditions. The elevation of 2,075 feet means pilots should consider moderate altitude effects on aircraft performance.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect optimal approach conditions during September, October, and November, which represent the best VFR months. The prevailing easterly winds (90 degrees) strongly favor approaches on runway 07 or 25, with consistent wind patterns supporting predictable landing and takeoff scenarios. Maximum recorded wind speeds of 25 knots suggest occasional moderate wind challenges.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.