Sainte Marie Airport (SMS)

Vohilava, MG 🇲🇬 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FMMS

IATA

SMS

Elevation

7 ft

Region

MG-A

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: FMMS

Local Code: Not available

Location: -17.093901° N, 49.8158° E

Continent: AF

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
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Departures
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External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

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.

Generated 6 days ago

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
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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
1 11 1 Dec 1, 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.

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.