Issyk-Kul International Airport (UCFL)
Large airport · Tamchy, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
Airport data
| Name | Issyk-Kul International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | UCFL |
| IATA | IKU |
| Elevation | 5,425 ft (1654 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 42°35'8" E 76°42'4" 42.58558, 76.70118 |
| Location | Tamchy, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25 | 12,467 ft (3800 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Issyk-Kul International Airport at a glance
Issyk-Kul International Airport is a large airport in Tamchy, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, known to airline systems as IKU. The field elevation of 5,425 ft (1654 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at UCFL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 07/25, offers 12,467 ft (3800 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 07 points roughly 70° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for UCFL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Issyk-Kul International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Almaty International Airport | UAAA | 90 km (49 NM) |
| Karakol International Airport | UCFK | 140 km (76 NM) |
| Kant Air Base | UAFW | 154 km (83 NM) |
| Manas International Airport | UCFM | 189 km (102 NM) |
| Taldykorgan Airport | UAAT | 315 km (170 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Issyk-Kul International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,425 ft field elevation of Issyk-Kul International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 7 airports and airfields we list for Kyrgyzstan — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Issyk-Kul International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Issyk-Kul International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Issyk-Kul International Airport is UCFL, and its IATA code is IKU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Issyk-Kul International Airport above sea level?
Issyk-Kul International Airport sits at an elevation of 5,425 feet (1654 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Issyk-Kul International Airport located?
The airport lies at 42.5856, 76.7012 — in Tamchy, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Almaty International Airport, about 90 km away.
Does UCFL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for UCFL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Issyk-Kul International Airport?
Issyk-Kul International Airport has one runway. The longest, 07/25, measures 12,467 ft (3800 m) with a ASP surface.