Nonstop flight route between Mercury, Nevada, United States and Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(36°37'9"N by 116°1'58"W)
Arrival Airport:
(29°37'0"S by 31°6'29"E)
Distance from DRA to DUR:
10,485.04 miles (16,873.99 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- DRA Airport Information
- DUR Airport Information
- Facts about DRA
- Facts about DUR
- Map of Nearest Airports to DRA
- List of Nearest Airports to DRA
- Map of Furthest Airports from DRA
- List of Furthest Airports from DRA
- Map of Nearest Airports to DUR
- List of Nearest Airports to DUR
- Map of Furthest Airports from DUR
- List of Furthest Airports from DUR
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Desert Rock Airport (DRA), Mercury, Nevada, United States and King Shaka International (DUR), Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,485 miles (or 16,874 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 Desert Rock Airport and King Shaka International, 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 Desert Rock Airport and King Shaka International. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | DRA / KDRA |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Mercury, Nevada, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 36°37'9"N by 116°1'58"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Mercury, Nevada |
| Airport Type: | United States Department of Energy/Nevada |
| Elevation: | 1010 feet (308 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from DRA |
| More Information: | DRA Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | DUR / FALE |
| Airport Name: | King Shaka International |
| Location: | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 29°37'0"S by 31°6'29"E |
| Area Served: | Durban, South Africa |
| Operator/Owner: | Dube Tradeport Company |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 295 feet (90 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from DUR |
| More Information: | DUR Maps & Info |
Facts about Desert Rock Airport (DRA):
- In addition to being known as "Desert Rock Airport", another name for DRA is "NV65".
- The closest airport to Desert Rock Airport (DRA) is Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] (INS), which is located only 20 miles (32 kilometers) E of DRA.
- The furthest airport from Desert Rock Airport (DRA) is Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG), which is located 11,271 miles (18,139 kilometers) away in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius.
- Desert Rock Airport (DRA) currently has only 1 runway.
Facts about King Shaka International (DUR):
- King Shaka International (DUR) currently has only 1 runway.
- The furthest airport from King Shaka International (DUR) is Hana Airport (HNM), which is located 11,682 miles (18,801 kilometers) away in Hana, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to King Shaka International (DUR) is Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB), which is located 43 miles (69 kilometers) W of DUR.
- Because of King Shaka International's relatively low elevation of 295 feet, planes can take off or land at King Shaka International 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.
- It is unclear what the fate of the existing Durban International Airport will be now that KSIA is complete.
- The terminal does not have a public viewing deck, which has attracted public criticism.
- Mount Moreland, a small community located 2.6 km south of the airport, is an important roosting site for the European Barn Swallow.
- King Shaka International Airport was first conceptualised in the 1970s, with construction beginning in 1973.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 19.69 miles (31.69 km) E | Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] (INS) | Indian Springs, Nevada, United States | ![View Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] on a map](map-icon.gif "View Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1] on a map"){kind=icon}   ![Get more information about Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1]](info-icon.gif "Get more information about Creech Air Force Base Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield (1961) Indian Springs Air Force Base (1951) Indian Springs Army Airfield Indian Springs Airport eponyms: Indian Springs, Nevada &Wilbur L. Creech[1]"){kind=icon} |
| 2 | 22.55 miles (36.30 km) N | Yucca Airstrip (UCC) | Mercury, Nevada, United States | |
| 3 | 44.97 miles (72.37 km) WNW | Beatty Airport (BTY) | Beatty, Nevada, United States | |
| 4 | 54.51 miles (87.72 km) ESE | North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) | North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 5 | 61.57 miles (99.08 km) SE | McCarran International Airport (LAS) | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 6 | 63.05 miles (101.47 km) ESE | Nellis Air Force BaseLas Vegas Air Force Base (1948) Las Vegas Army Airfield (1941)[1] McCarren Field (c. 1935)[2] (LSV) | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| 7 | 67.07 miles (107.94 km) SE | Henderson Executive Airport (HSH) | Henderson, United States | |
| 8 | 80.14 miles (128.96 km) SE | Boulder City Municipal Airport (BLD) | Boulder City, Nevada, United States | |
| 9 | 90.99 miles (146.43 km) NNW | Tonopah Test Range Airport (XSD) | Tonopah, Nevada, United States | |
| 10 | 91.16 miles (146.71 km) SW | Trona Airport (TRH) | Trona, California, United States | |
| 11 | 98.36 miles (158.29 km) SSW | Bicycle Lake Army Airfield (BYS) | Barstow, California, United States | |
| 12 | 110.47 miles (177.78 km) E | Mesquite Airport (MFH) | Mesquite, Nevada, United States | |
| 13 | 115.16 miles (185.33 km) NNW | Tonopah Airport (TPH) | Tonopah, Nevada, United States | |
| 14 | 120.24 miles (193.50 km) WSW | Inyokern Airport (IYK) | Inyokern, California, United States | |
| 15 | 129.12 miles (207.80 km) SSW | Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) | Daggett, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,271.17 miles (18,139.15 km) S | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 2 | 11,261.80 miles (18,124.07 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,255.74 miles (18,114.32 km) SSE | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 4 | 11,236.83 miles (18,083.89 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 5 | 11,152.35 miles (17,947.92 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,032.45 miles (17,754.96 km) ESE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 7 | 11,017.51 miles (17,730.91 km) SE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 10,979.70 miles (17,670.06 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 10,880.55 miles (17,510.51 km) SE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 10,857.64 miles (17,473.64 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 10,850.28 miles (17,461.79 km) SE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,843.79 miles (17,451.35 km) ESE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,834.60 miles (17,436.56 km) SE | Sainte Marie Airport (SMS) | Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,831.51 miles (17,431.58 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,811.16 miles (17,398.84 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 42.69 miles (68.70 km) W | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 2 | 84.75 miles (136.40 km) NE | Richards Bay Airport (RCB) | Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 3 | 97.26 miles (156.52 km) SSW | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 4 | 108.73 miles (174.98 km) NW | Ladysmith Airport (LAY) | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 5 | 124.64 miles (200.58 km) W | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 131.67 miles (211.91 km) NNE | Hluhluwe Airport (HLW) | Hluhluwe, South Africa | |
| 7 | 148.34 miles (238.73 km) W | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 165.42 miles (266.22 km) W | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 183.53 miles (295.37 km) W | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 191.57 miles (308.31 km) WNW | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 196.76 miles (316.66 km) SW | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 12 | 213.69 miles (343.90 km) N | Matsapha Airport (MTS) | Manzini, Swaziland | |
| 13 | 214.01 miles (344.41 km) W | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 232.28 miles (373.82 km) W | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 270.59 miles (435.46 km) NNE | Maputo International Airport (MPM) | Maputo, Mozambique | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,682.45 miles (18,801.04 km) NE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,672.61 miles (18,785.19 km) NE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,668.14 miles (18,778.00 km) NE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,666.75 miles (18,775.76 km) NE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,660.00 miles (18,764.91 km) NE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,657.49 miles (18,760.87 km) NE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,651.72 miles (18,751.58 km) NNE | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,648.60 miles (18,746.56 km) NE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,646.05 miles (18,742.46 km) NE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,637.42 miles (18,728.56 km) NE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,636.90 miles (18,727.73 km) NE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,634.60 miles (18,724.02 km) NE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,633.67 miles (18,722.53 km) NE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,633.67 miles (18,722.53 km) NE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,626.63 miles (18,711.20 km) NE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |