Chitral Airport (OPCH)
Medium airport · Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Airport data
| Name | Chitral Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OPCH |
| IATA | CJL |
| Elevation | 4,920 ft (1500 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 35°53'10" E 71°47'60" 35.88621, 71.79992 |
| Location | Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 5,741 ft (1750 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Chitral Airport at a glance
Chitral Airport is a medium airport in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, known to airline systems as CJL. The field elevation of 4,920 ft (1500 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OPCH 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, 02/20, offers 5,741 ft (1750 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for OPCH 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 Chitral Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Saidu Sharif Airport | OPSS | 129 km (70 NM) |
| Risalpur Air Base | OPRS | 201 km (109 NM) |
| Jalalabad Airport | OAJL | 203 km (110 NM) |
| Bacha Khan International Airport | OPPS | 212 km (114 NM) |
| Gilgit Airport | OPGT | 228 km (123 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Chitral Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 4,920 ft field elevation of Chitral 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 39 airports and airfields we list for Pakistan — 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 Chitral Airport
What is the ICAO code of Chitral Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Chitral Airport is OPCH, and its IATA code is CJL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Chitral Airport above sea level?
Chitral Airport sits at an elevation of 4,920 feet (1500 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Chitral Airport located?
The airport lies at 35.8862, 71.7999 — in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Saidu Sharif Airport, about 129 km away.
Does OPCH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OPCH 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 Chitral Airport?
Chitral Airport has one runway. The longest, 02/20, measures 5,741 ft (1750 m) with a ASP surface.