Kabul International Airport (OAKB)
Large airport · Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan
Airport data
| Name | Kabul International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OAKB |
| IATA | KBL |
| Elevation | 5,877 ft (1791 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 34°33'57" E 69°12'44" 34.56590, 69.21230 |
| Location | Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 | 11,483 ft (3500 m) | 164 ft | ASP | Yes |
Kabul International Airport at a glance
Kabul International Airport is a large airport in Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, known to airline systems as KBL. The field elevation of 5,877 ft (1791 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OAKB 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, 11/29, offers 11,483 ft (3500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for OAKB 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 Kabul International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bagram Airfield | OAIX | 43 km (23 NM) |
| Jalalabad Airport | OAJL | 119 km (64 NM) |
| Khost International Airport | OAKS | 153 km (83 NM) |
| Bacha Khan International Airport | OPPS | 221 km (119 NM) |
| Kunduz Airport | OAUZ | 235 km (127 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kabul International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,877 ft field elevation of Kabul 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 9 airports and airfields we list for Afghanistan — 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 Kabul International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kabul International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kabul International Airport is OAKB, and its IATA code is KBL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kabul International Airport above sea level?
Kabul International Airport sits at an elevation of 5,877 feet (1791 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kabul International Airport located?
The airport lies at 34.5659, 69.2123 — in Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Bagram Airfield, about 43 km away.
Does OAKB publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OAKB 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 Kabul International Airport?
Kabul International Airport has one runway. The longest, 11/29, measures 11,483 ft (3500 m) with a ASP surface.