About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,233 miles (or 16,469 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Castle Airport and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Castle Airport and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

IATA / ICAO Codes: MER / KMER
Airport Name: Castle Airport
Location: Atwater, California, United States
GPS Coordinates: 37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W
Operator/Owner: Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development
Airport Type: Public
Elevation: 191 feet (58 meters)
# of Runways: 1
View all routes: Routes from MER
More Information: MER Maps & Info

Arrival Airport Information:

IATA / ICAO Codes: BUQ / FVBU
Airport Name: Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Location: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
GPS Coordinates: 20°1'2"S by 28°37'4"E
Operator/Owner: Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
Airport Type: Public
Elevation: 4359 feet (1,329 meters)
# of Runways: 2
View all routes: Routes from BUQ
More Information: BUQ Maps & Info

Facts about Castle Airport (MER):

  • It was estimated that the cost to relocate the 129 RQW to Castle, to include associated military construction costs, could be recouped in seven years.
  • The furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
  • The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
  • Since the mid-1940s, aircraft maintenance, fuel management, and fire training activities on the base have generated wastes that consist primarily of waste fuels, oils, solvents, and cleaners.
  • Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
  • Because of Castle Airport's relatively low elevation of 191 feet, planes can take off or land at Castle Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.

Facts about Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ):

  • The closest airport to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) is Gweru-Thornhill Air Base (GWE), which is located 90 miles (145 kilometers) ENE of BUQ.
  • Because of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport's high elevation of 4,359 feet, planes must typically fly at a faster airspeed in order to takeoff or land at BUQ. Combined with a high temperature, this could make BUQ a "Hot & High" airport, where the air density is lower than it would otherwise be at sea level.
  • Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) has 2 runways.
  • The furthest airport from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) is Hilo International Airport (ITO), which is nearly antipodal to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (meaning Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Hilo International Airport), and is located 12,198 miles (19,630 kilometers) away in Hilo, Hawaii, United States.

Map of Nearest Airports to Castle Airport:

List of Nearest Airports to Castle Airport:

RankDistance & DirectionAirport Name & IATA CodeAirport LocationFurther Actions
17.26 miles (11.68 km) SSEMerced Regional Airport (MCE)Merced, California, United StatesView Merced Regional Airport on a map Set MCE as origin Airport Set MCE as destination Airport Get more information about Merced Regional Airport
227.12 miles (43.65 km) NWModesto City-County Airport (MOD)Modesto, California, United StatesView Modesto City-County Airport on a map Set MOD as origin Airport Set MOD as destination Airport Get more information about Modesto City-County Airport
327.51 miles (44.27 km) SWLos Banos Municipal Airport (LSN)Los Banos, California, United StatesView Los Banos Municipal Airport on a map Set LSN as origin Airport Set LSN as destination Airport Get more information about Los Banos Municipal Airport
429.78 miles (47.92 km) WNASA Crows Landing Airport (NRC)Crows Landing, California, United StatesView NASA Crows Landing Airport on a map Set NRC as origin Airport Set NRC as destination Airport Get more information about NASA Crows Landing Airport
536.91 miles (59.40 km) SEMadera Municipal Airport (MAE)Madera, California, United StatesView Madera Municipal Airport on a map Set MAE as origin Airport Set MAE as destination Airport Get more information about Madera Municipal Airport
645.69 miles (73.53 km) NColumbia Airport (COA)Columbia, California, United StatesView Columbia Airport on a map Set COA as origin Airport Set COA as destination Airport Get more information about Columbia Airport
751.03 miles (82.13 km) NWStockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK)Stockton, California, United StatesView Stockton Metropolitan Airport on a map Set SCK as origin Airport Set SCK as destination Airport Get more information about Stockton Metropolitan Airport
857.32 miles (92.24 km) SWHollister Municipal Airport (HLI)Hollister, California, United StatesView Hollister Municipal Airport on a map Set HLI as origin Airport Set HLI as destination Airport Get more information about Hollister Municipal Airport
960.88 miles (97.98 km) SEFresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old) (FCH)Fresno, California, United StatesView Fresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old) on a map Set FCH as origin Airport Set FCH as destination Airport Get more information about Fresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old)
1062.71 miles (100.91 km) SEFresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)Fresno, California, United StatesView Fresno Yosemite International Airport on a map Set FAT as origin Airport Set FAT as destination Airport Get more information about Fresno Yosemite International Airport
1168.82 miles (110.76 km) WReid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV)San Jose, California, United StatesView Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County on a map Set RHV as origin Airport Set RHV as destination Airport Get more information about Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County
1271.93 miles (115.77 km) WNWLivermore Municipal Airport (LVK)Livermore, California, United StatesView Livermore Municipal Airport on a map Set LVK as origin Airport Set LVK as destination Airport Get more information about Livermore Municipal Airport
1373.96 miles (119.02 km) WSWWatsonville Municipal Airport (WVI)Watsonville, California, United StatesView Watsonville Municipal Airport on a map Set WVI as origin Airport Set WVI as destination Airport Get more information about Watsonville Municipal Airport
1474.75 miles (120.29 km) WNorman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)San Jose, California, United StatesView Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport on a map Set SJC as origin Airport Set SJC as destination Airport Get more information about Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
1575.76 miles (121.93 km) SWSalinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base (SNS)Salinas, California, United StatesView Salinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base on a map Set SNS as origin Airport Set SNS as destination Airport Get more information about Salinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base

Map of Furthest Airports from Castle Airport:

List of Furthest Airports from Castle Airport:

RankDistance & DirectionAirport Name & IATA CodeAirport LocationFurther Actions
111,311.72 miles (18,204.41 km) SETôlanaro Airport (FTU)Tôlanaro, MadagascarView Tôlanaro Airport on a map Set FTU as origin Airport Set FTU as destination Airport Get more information about Tôlanaro Airport
211,301.64 miles (18,188.18 km) SSEPierrefonds Airport (ZSE)Saint-Pierre, RéunionView Pierrefonds Airport on a map Set ZSE as origin Airport Set ZSE as destination Airport Get more information about Pierrefonds Airport
311,273.49 miles (18,142.87 km) SSERoland Garros Airport (RUN)St Denis, Réunion, FranceView Roland Garros Airport on a map Set RUN as origin Airport Set RUN as destination Airport Get more information about Roland Garros Airport
411,260.93 miles (18,122.66 km) SSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU)Plaisance, MauritiusView Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on a map Set MRU as origin Airport Set MRU as destination Airport Get more information about Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
511,205.02 miles (18,032.69 km) SEAmpanihy Airport (AMP)Ampanihy, MadagascarView Ampanihy Airport on a map Set AMP as origin Airport Set AMP as destination Airport Get more information about Ampanihy Airport
611,196.39 miles (18,018.79 km) SSWSir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG)Rodrigues Island, MauritiusView Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport on a map Set RRG as origin Airport Set RRG as destination Airport Get more information about Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport
711,137.28 miles (17,923.67 km) SSEMananjary Airport (MNJ)Mananjary, MadagascarView Mananjary Airport on a map Set MNJ as origin Airport Set MNJ as destination Airport Get more information about Mananjary Airport
811,111.96 miles (17,882.92 km) SEFianarantsoa Airport (WFI)Fianarantsoa, MadagascarView Fianarantsoa Airport on a map Set WFI as origin Airport Set WFI as destination Airport Get more information about Fianarantsoa Airport
911,011.03 miles (17,720.49 km) SEManja Airport (MJA)Manja, Menabe, MadagascarView Manja Airport on a map Set MJA as origin Airport Set MJA as destination Airport Get more information about Manja Airport
1011,008.37 miles (17,716.22 km) SEAndavadoaka Airport (DVD)Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, MadagascarView Andavadoaka Airport on a map Set DVD as origin Airport Set DVD as destination Airport Get more information about Andavadoaka Airport
1110,993.21 miles (17,691.82 km) SEMorombe Airport (MXM)Morombe, MadagascarView Morombe Airport on a map Set MXM as origin Airport Set MXM as destination Airport Get more information about Morombe Airport
1210,972.89 miles (17,659.11 km) SSEToamasino Airport (TMM)Toamasina, MadagascarView Toamasino Airport on a map Set TMM as origin Airport Set TMM as destination Airport Get more information about Toamasino Airport
1310,963.56 miles (17,644.10 km) SSEIvato International Airport (TNR)Antananarivo, MadagascarView Ivato International Airport on a map Set TNR as origin Airport Set TNR as destination Airport Get more information about Ivato International Airport
1410,945.21 miles (17,614.56 km) SEMiandrivazo Airport (ZVA)Miandrivazo, MadagascarView Miandrivazo Airport on a map Set ZVA as origin Airport Set ZVA as destination Airport Get more information about Miandrivazo Airport
1510,920.84 miles (17,575.35 km) SEBelo sur Tsiribihina Airport (BMD)Belo sur Tsiribihina, MadagascarView Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport on a map Set BMD as origin Airport Set BMD as destination Airport Get more information about Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport

Map of Nearest Airports to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport:

List of Nearest Airports to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport:

RankDistance & DirectionAirport Name & IATA CodeAirport LocationFurther Actions
190.32 miles (145.36 km) ENEGweru-Thornhill Air Base (GWE)Gweru, ZimbabweView Gweru-Thornhill Air Base on a map Set GWE as destination Airport Set GWE as destination Airport Get more information about Gweru-Thornhill Air Base
2108.15 miles (174.04 km) SWFrancistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW)Francistown, BotswanaView Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base on a map Set FRW as destination Airport Set FRW as destination Airport Get more information about Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base
3141.52 miles (227.75 km) NWHwange National Park Airport (HWN)Hwange National Park, ZimbabweView Hwange National Park Airport on a map Set HWN as destination Airport Set HWN as destination Airport Get more information about Hwange National Park Airport
4145.49 miles (234.14 km) EMasvingo Airport (MVZ)Masvingo, ZimbabweView Masvingo Airport on a map Set MVZ as destination Airport Set MVZ as destination Airport Get more information about Masvingo Airport
5203.45 miles (327.42 km) ESEBuffalo Range Airport (BFO)Chiredzi, ZimbabweView Buffalo Range Airport on a map Set BFO as destination Airport Set BFO as destination Airport Get more information about Buffalo Range Airport
6216.59 miles (348.57 km) NEHarare International Airport (HRE)Harare, ZimbabweView Harare International Airport on a map Set HRE as destination Airport Set HRE as destination Airport Get more information about Harare International Airport
7224.85 miles (361.86 km) NWVictoria Falls Airport (VFA)Victoria Falls, ZimbabweView Victoria Falls Airport on a map Set VFA as destination Airport Set VFA as destination Airport Get more information about Victoria Falls Airport
8237.46 miles (382.15 km) NWLivingstone Airport (LVI)Livingstone, ZambiaView Livingstone Airport on a map Set LVI as destination Airport Set LVI as destination Airport Get more information about Livingstone Airport
9242.30 miles (389.95 km) NKariba Airport (KAB)Kariba, ZimbabweView Kariba Airport on a map Set KAB as destination Airport Set KAB as destination Airport Get more information about Kariba Airport
10260.56 miles (419.32 km) EChipinge Airport (CHJ)Chipinge, ZimbabweView Chipinge Airport on a map Set CHJ as destination Airport Set CHJ as destination Airport Get more information about Chipinge Airport
11269.91 miles (434.38 km) SSEPolokwane International Airport (PTG)Polokwane, South AfricaView Polokwane International Airport on a map Set PTG as destination Airport Set PTG as destination Airport Get more information about Polokwane International Airport
12270.45 miles (435.25 km) ENEMutare Airport (UTA)Mutare, ZimbabweView Mutare Airport on a map Set UTA as destination Airport Set UTA as destination Airport Get more information about Mutare Airport
13271.71 miles (437.27 km) WNWKasane Airport (BBK)Kasane, BotswanaView Kasane Airport on a map Set BBK as destination Airport Set BBK as destination Airport Get more information about Kasane Airport
14315.82 miles (508.26 km) SSEHendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW)Phalaborwa, South AfricaView Hendrik Van Eck Airport on a map Set PHW as destination Airport Set PHW as destination Airport Get more information about Hendrik Van Eck Airport
15318.89 miles (513.20 km) EChimoio Airport (VPY)Chimoio, MozambiqueView Chimoio Airport on a map Set VPY as destination Airport Set VPY as destination Airport Get more information about Chimoio Airport

Map of Furthest Airports from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport:

List of Furthest Airports from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport:

RankDistance & DirectionAirport Name & IATA CodeAirport LocationFurther Actions
112,197.69 miles (19,630.23 km) EHilo International Airport (ITO)Hilo, Hawaii, United StatesView Hilo International Airport on a map Set ITO as destination Airport Set ITO as destination Airport Get more information about Hilo International Airport
212,158.55 miles (19,567.24 km) EWaimea-Kohala Airport (MUE)Kamuela, Hawaii, United StatesView Waimea-Kohala Airport on a map Set MUE as destination Airport Set MUE as destination Airport Get more information about Waimea-Kohala Airport
312,154.97 miles (19,561.48 km) EPōhakuloa Training Area (BSF)Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United StatesView Pōhakuloa Training Area on a map Set BSF as destination Airport Set BSF as destination Airport Get more information about Pōhakuloa Training Area
412,145.83 miles (19,546.77 km) EUpolu Airport (UPP)Hawi, Hawaii, United StatesView Upolu Airport on a map Set UPP as destination Airport Set UPP as destination Airport Get more information about Upolu Airport
512,133.18 miles (19,526.42 km) EKona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA)Kailua / Kona, Hawaii, United StatesView Kona International Airport at Keāhole on a map Set KOA as destination Airport Set KOA as destination Airport Get more information about Kona International Airport at Keāhole
612,132.06 miles (19,524.60 km) EHana Airport (HNM)Hana, Hawaii, United StatesView Hana Airport on a map Set HNM as destination Airport Set HNM as destination Airport Get more information about Hana Airport
712,104.38 miles (19,480.06 km) ENEKahului Airport (OGG)Kahului, Hawaii, United StatesView Kahului Airport on a map Set OGG as destination Airport Set OGG as destination Airport Get more information about Kahului Airport
812,088.20 miles (19,454.03 km) ENEKapalua Airport (JHM)Lahaina, Hawaii, United StatesView Kapalua Airport on a map Set JHM as destination Airport Set JHM as destination Airport Get more information about Kapalua Airport
912,072.27 miles (19,428.39 km) ELanai Airport (LNY)Lanai City, Hawaii, United StatesView Lanai Airport on a map Set LNY as destination Airport Set LNY as destination Airport Get more information about Lanai Airport
1012,065.94 miles (19,418.20 km) ENEKalaupapa Airport (LUP)Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United StatesView Kalaupapa Airport on a map Set LUP as destination Airport Set LUP as destination Airport Get more information about Kalaupapa Airport
1112,058.98 miles (19,407.01 km) ENEMolokai Airport (MKK)Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United StatesView Molokai Airport on a map Set MKK as destination Airport Set MKK as destination Airport Get more information about Molokai Airport
1212,004.57 miles (19,319.44 km) ENEHonolulu International Airport (HNL)Honolulu, Hawaii, United StatesView Honolulu International Airport on a map Set HNL as destination Airport Set HNL as destination Airport Get more information about Honolulu International Airport
1312,004.57 miles (19,319.44 km) ENEHickam Field (HIK)Honolulu, Hawaii, United StatesView Hickam Field on a map Set HIK as destination Airport Set HIK as destination Airport Get more information about Hickam Field
1411,995.37 miles (19,304.63 km) ENEKalaeloa Airport (NAX)Kapolei, Hawaii, United StatesView Kalaeloa Airport on a map Set NAX as destination Airport Set NAX as destination Airport Get more information about Kalaeloa Airport
1511,994.90 miles (19,303.88 km) ENEWheeler AAF (HHI)Wahiawa, Hawaii, United StatesView Wheeler AAF on a map Set HHI as destination Airport Set HHI as destination Airport Get more information about Wheeler AAF