Sainte Marie Airport (SMS)

Vohilava, MG 🇲🇬 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FMMS

IATA

SMS

Elevation

7 ft

Region

MG-A

Local Time

Loading...

Loading...

Airport Information

GPS Code: FMMS

Local Code: Not available

Location: -17.093901° N, 49.8158° E

Continent: Africa

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
View incoming flights
Departures
View outgoing flights

What Travelers Say

Rate this airport:
--/5 (0 ratings)
Have more to share? Submit a detailed tip

Share Your Tip

Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Sainte Marie Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.

0/1000 characters
We'll only use this to notify you when your tip is approved.

Online Reviews Summary

Sainte Marie Airport (FMMS (SMS)) in Vohilava, Madagascar, serves as a vital but often described as basic gateway to the popular island destination. Recent traveler sentiment largely indicates an airport that fulfills its primary function of connecting travelers to Sainte Marie, though with limited facilities and amenities. The airport primarily handles domestic flights, linking the island with mainland Madagascar.

What Travelers Love
  • Convenient Access: The airport provides a straightforward and convenient entry point to the popular tourist island of Sainte Marie, known for its natural beauty and attractions.
  • Direct Transportation to Accommodations: Various transfer options, including private shuttles, shared taxis (taxis-brousse), and private taxis, are readily available to transport travelers directly to hotels or the city center.
  • Nearby Accommodation Options: Several hotels, such as Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa and Boraha Village, are located very close to the airport, offering convenience for arrivals and departures.
Common Complaints
  • Basic Facilities and Limited Amenities: The airport is characterized by its basic facilities, implying a lack of extensive shops, restaurants, or other services typically found in larger airports. Expediasuggests checking the airport website for available shops and eateries, which might indicate they are not always prominent or varied.
  • Lack of On-Site Services: There is no fuel availability at the airport, and no FBO/handlers, charter operators, maintenance providers, completion centers, ground transport providers, aircraft catering, or aircraft cleaning providers are currently listed, indicating minimal service infrastructure.
  • Security Wait Times: Current security checkpoint wait times have been reported around 25 minutes.
  • No Public Transit: While taxis and shuttles are available, there is no mention of public bus services connecting the airport to the city center, which might be a concern for budget travelers.

Overall, Sainte Marie Airport is best viewed as a functional and direct link to a beautiful destination, rather than an airport offering extensive amenities or a luxurious travel experience. Travelers should anticipate a small, basic facility and plan their onward travel from the airport accordingly, utilizing the readily available taxi and shuttle services.

Last updated: 68 days ago

Researching traveler experiences online...

Unable to generate sentiment summary. Please try again later.
AI-Generated: Compiled from publicly available reviews. May not be current or accurate.

Community Tips

No community tips yet for Sainte Marie Airport.

Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!

Community Content: Tips are submitted by travelers and reviewed before publishing.

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Airport Routes

Route Network Map

Loading route map... Tap fullscreen button for better mobile experience

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

0 destinations displayed
Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
Loading routes...

Top Airlines

Operating at Sainte Marie Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
2 13 2 Dec 27, 2025
Showing top 1 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
01/19 3451 ft 98 ft ASP Active

Type Description Frequency
A/G AIR GND 548.4 MHz
AFIS AFIS 120.3 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
SM Sainte Marie NDB 290 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Taxis are available to meet arriving flights. Fares are not metered, so it is essential to negotiate and agree on a price with the driver before your trip. Many hotels also offer pre-arranged airport transfers, which can be a more convenient option.

Rental Cars

Major international car rental agencies are not present at the airport. Vehicle rentals, including 4x4s, scooters, and quad bikes (ATVs), are typically arranged through local operators or hotels. It is highly recommended to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season.

Public Transportation

There are no formal public bus or train services operating from Sainte Marie Airport. The primary form of shared transport on the island is the 'taxi-brousse' (bush taxi), but these do not run on a fixed schedule from the airport and are not a practical option for travelers with luggage.

AI-Generated Content: This ground transportation information was compiled using AI from publicly available sources. Prices, schedules, and availability may change; please verify with official airport or transportation provider websites before traveling.

Nearby Airports

Toamasina Ambalamanasy Airport
TMM • FMMT
Toamasina, MG
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~121 km away
Mananara Nord Airport
WMR • FMNC
Mananara Nord, MG
Medium Airport
~103 km away
Toamasina Ambalamanasy Airport
TMM • FMMT
Toamasina, MG
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~121 km away
Ambodiatafa Airport
MG-0012
Ambodiatafa, MG
Small Airport
~43 km away
Betainomby Airport
FMBI
Betainomby, MG
Small Airport
~132 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.