Elista Airport (URWI)
Medium airport · Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, Russia
Airport data
| Name | Elista Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | URWI |
| IATA | ESL |
| Elevation | 501 ft (153 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 46°22'26" E 44°19'51" 46.37390, 44.33090 |
| Location | Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, Russia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 10,499 ft (3200 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 09L/27R | 7,555 ft (2303 m) | 280 ft | GRE | No |
Elista Airport at a glance
Elista Airport is a medium airport in Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, Russia, known to airline systems as ESL. The field elevation of 501 ft (153 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at URWI 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 — 09/27 — offers 10,499 ft (3200 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for URWI 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 Elista Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Budyonnovsk Air Base | URMB | 173 km (93 NM) |
| Stavropol Shpakovskoye Airport | URMT | 222 km (120 NM) |
| Mineralnye Vody Airport | URMM | 258 km (139 NM) |
| Akhtubinsk Air Base | RU-0380 | 259 km (140 NM) |
| Volgograd International Airport | URWW | 268 km (145 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Elista Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 501 ft field elevation of Elista 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 255 airports and airfields we list for Russia — 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 Elista Airport
What is the ICAO code of Elista Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Elista Airport is URWI, and its IATA code is ESL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Elista Airport above sea level?
Elista Airport sits at an elevation of 501 feet (153 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Elista Airport located?
The airport lies at 46.3739, 44.3309 — in Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, Russia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Budyonnovsk Air Base, about 173 km away.
Does URWI publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for URWI 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 Elista Airport?
Elista Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 09/27, measures 10,499 ft (3200 m) with a ASP surface.