Aktau International Airport (UATE)
Large airport · Aktau, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan
Airport data
| Name | Aktau International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | UATE |
| IATA | SCO |
| Elevation | 73 ft (22 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 43°51'36" E 51°5'27" 43.86009, 51.09086 |
| Location | Aktau, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 10,013 ft (3052 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Aktau International Airport at a glance
Aktau International Airport is a large airport in Aktau, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan, known to airline systems as SCO. The field elevation of 73 ft (22 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at UATE 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, 12/30, offers 10,013 ft (3052 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 12 points roughly 120° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for UATE 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 Aktau International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Makhachkala Uytash International Airport | URML | 301 km (163 NM) |
| Astrakhan Narimanovo Boris M. Kustodiev International Airport | URWA | 362 km (195 NM) |
| Sitalchay Airbase | AZ-0013 | 366 km (198 NM) |
| Atyrau International Airport | UATG | 367 km (198 NM) |
| Privolzhskiy Air Base | RU-0303 | 378 km (204 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Aktau International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 73 ft field elevation of Aktau 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 Aktau International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Aktau International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Aktau International Airport is UATE, and its IATA code is SCO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Aktau International Airport above sea level?
Aktau International Airport sits at an elevation of 73 feet (22 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Aktau International Airport located?
The airport lies at 43.8601, 51.0909 — in Aktau, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Makhachkala Uytash International Airport, about 301 km away.
Does UATE publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for UATE 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 Aktau International Airport?
Aktau International Airport has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 10,013 ft (3052 m) with a ASP surface.