Erbil International Airport (ORER)
Large airport · Arbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq
Airport data
| Name | Erbil International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | ORER |
| IATA | EBL |
| Elevation | 1,341 ft (409 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 36°14'10" E 43°56'48" 36.23605, 43.94662 |
| Location | Arbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/36 | 15,748 ft (4800 m) | 246 ft | Concrete | Yes |
Erbil International Airport at a glance
Erbil International Airport is a large airport in Arbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq, known to airline systems as EBL. The field elevation of 1,341 ft (409 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at ORER 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, 18/36, offers 15,748 ft (4800 m) of concrete surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 18 points roughly 180° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for ORER 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 Erbil International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mosul International Airport | ORBM | 72 km (39 NM) |
| Qayyarah West Airport | ORQW | 90 km (49 NM) |
| Kirkuk International Airport | ORKK | 93 km (50 NM) |
| Tal Ashtah New Air Base | IQ-0051 | 123 km (66 NM) |
| Tall Afar Army Air Field | ORTF | 139 km (75 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Erbil International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,341 ft field elevation of Erbil 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 30 airports and airfields we list for Iraq — 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 Erbil International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Erbil International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Erbil International Airport is ORER, and its IATA code is EBL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Erbil International Airport above sea level?
Erbil International Airport sits at an elevation of 1,341 feet (409 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Erbil International Airport located?
The airport lies at 36.2360, 43.9466 — in Arbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Mosul International Airport, about 72 km away.
Does ORER publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for ORER 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 Erbil International Airport?
Erbil International Airport has one runway. The longest, 18/36, measures 15,748 ft (4800 m) with a Concrete surface.