Airport Name and ICAO/IATA Code
Ashgabat International Airport (ICAO: UTAA / IATA: ASB)
Location (City, Country)
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Airport Type & Size
The largest airport in Turkmenistan, with a design capacity of 14 million passengers per year. It has two runways, 11L/29R and 11R/29L, that are both 3,800m long. This is the result of large scale reconstruction of the airport, replacing older facilities that were made in the 90s; the new terminal was designed in the shape of a falcon. It can serve the A380, 747, and An-124, and has a large central terminal as well as extensive cargo facilities.
Why should this airport be added to World of Airports?
It is the hub of Turkmenistan Airlines, and has a strategic Central Asian location. It can provide a very good base for players wishing to expand in the area, and is well suited for stopovers of flights to and from Europe and Asia. It would also be a very good airport for the use of Eastern aircraft, if those are added.
Major Airlines & Routes
Turkmenistan Airlines - Hub; Abu Dhabi, Balkanabat, Bangkok, Beijing-Capital, Delhi, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London-Gatwick, Milan-Malpensa, Seoul-Incheon, MedinaTurkish - Istanbul
China Southern - Urumqi, Xi’an
Cargolux - Milan-Malpensa (Cargolux Italia), Budapest, London-Stansted, Taipei-Taoyuan, Luxembourg
Unique Features or Challenges
Desert environment, but still potential for winter operationsTwo runways that can be used for both takeoffs and landings, providing high aircraft throughput
Relatively simple terminal layout with generally symmetric design
Optional: Links, images, maps, or videos
Wikipedia - Ashgabat International AirportTerminal at nighttime. The falcon shape of the front side can be seen.
ATC tower at Ashgabat airport.
An-124 at Ashgabat.
Challenge Group 747 at Ashgabat.
Foggy winter day at Ashgabat, 2019. The area was blanketed by snow in 2023, but there aren’t pictures of it.
Another picture of the terminal, facing northwest.
Turkish, IndiGo, and Turkmenistan planes at Ashgabat.
