Almaty International Airport (UAAA)
Large airport · Almaty, Almaty City, Kazakhstan
Airport data
| Name | Almaty International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | UAAA |
| IATA | ALA |
| Elevation | 2,234 ft (681 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 43°21'15" E 77°2'34" 43.35427, 77.04283 |
| Location | Almaty, Almaty City, Kazakhstan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05L/23R | 14,764 ft (4500 m) | 148 ft | ASPH | Yes |
| 05R/23L | 14,436 ft (4400 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Almaty International Airport at a glance
Almaty International Airport is a large airport in Almaty, Almaty City, Kazakhstan, known to airline systems as ALA. The field elevation of 2,234 ft (681 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at UAAA are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 05L/23R — offers 14,764 ft (4500 m) of asph surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05L points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for UAAA 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 Almaty International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Issyk-Kul International Airport | UCFL | 90 km (49 NM) |
| Karakol International Airport | UCFK | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Kant Air Base | UAFW | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Manas International Airport | UCFM | 210 km (113 NM) |
| Taldykorgan Airport | UAAT | 226 km (122 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Almaty International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 2,234 ft field elevation of Almaty 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 28 airports and airfields we list for Kazakhstan — 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 Almaty International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Almaty International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Almaty International Airport is UAAA, and its IATA code is ALA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Almaty International Airport above sea level?
Almaty International Airport sits at an elevation of 2,234 feet (681 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Almaty International Airport located?
The airport lies at 43.3543, 77.0428 — in Almaty, Almaty City, Kazakhstan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Issyk-Kul International Airport, about 90 km away.
Does UAAA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for UAAA 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 Almaty International Airport?
Almaty International Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 05L/23R, measures 14,764 ft (4500 m) with a ASPH surface.