Karakol International Airport (UCFK)
Medium airport · Karakol, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan
Airport data
| Name | Karakol International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | UCFK |
| IATA | IKG |
| Elevation | 5,590 ft (1704 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 42°30'29" E 78°24'28" 42.50810, 78.40780 |
| Location | Karakol, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 8,202 ft (2500 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Karakol International Airport at a glance
Karakol International Airport is a medium airport in Karakol, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, known to airline systems as IKG. The field elevation of 5,590 ft (1704 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at UCFK 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, 10/28, offers 8,202 ft (2500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for UCFK 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 Karakol 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 | 140 km (76 NM) |
| Almaty International Airport | UAAA | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Aksu Hongqipo Airport | ZWAK | 209 km (113 NM) |
| Ili Yining International Airport | ZWYN | 286 km (154 NM) |
| Taldykorgan Airport | UAAT | 291 km (157 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Karakol International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,590 ft field elevation of Karakol 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 7 airports and airfields we list for Kyrgyzstan — 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 Karakol International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Karakol International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Karakol International Airport is UCFK, and its IATA code is IKG. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Karakol International Airport above sea level?
Karakol International Airport sits at an elevation of 5,590 feet (1704 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Karakol International Airport located?
The airport lies at 42.5081, 78.4078 — in Karakol, Issyk Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Issyk-Kul International Airport, about 140 km away.
Does UCFK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for UCFK 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 Karakol International Airport?
Karakol International Airport has one runway. The longest, 10/28, measures 8,202 ft (2500 m) with a ASP surface.