Top 10 Airports In Iran For Bridging The Best Destinations Together

A runway stretching into the distance over the sandy landscape of the Persian Gulf.

Iran was once home to the oldest civilisation in the world, the Persian Empire, attracting crowds from across the globe. That is why facilities such as airports in Iran have been a key feature in Iran’s economy. There are over 64 airports currently operating for easy connectivity, serving both domestic and international crowds. This makes it an important cultural as well as political epicentre of the world, primarily due to its strategic location.

Top 10 Airports In Iran

Here are the top 10 airports in Iran that are well designed to meet public standards as well as offer luxurious commodities to passengers:

1. Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran)

An expansive view of the IKIA airport terminal at night with aeroplanes lined up on the tarmac.

Photo: Princeofpersia1 / Wikimedia Commons

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is one of the busiest international airports in Iran. Most of the international traffic flies using this particular airport, located near Vahnabad. It serves as the primary hub for all international flights to Tehran, while important Iranian airlines such as Iran Air and Mahan Air fly from here as well. The airport has 2 terminals and has the capacity to handle millions of passengers on an annual basis. Good transit facilities like taxis, metro and public buses are easily accessible near the airport. Apart from this, major 3 star hotels are available for passengers in the airport for their better comfort.

Runway Length: 13,773 ft
Facilities: shopping, dining, prayer rooms, banking
Major Airlines: Iran Air, Qeshm Air and Mahan Air

2. Kish International Airport (Kish Island)

Airport from above with an aircraft parked on the runway with other terminal buildings surrounded by trees.

Photo: NicGaron / Wikimedia Commons

Kish International Airport (KIH) is considered one of the major airports serving Kish islands. It is one of the most important islands in Iran in terms of the number of tourists attracted each year. It is a major hub for transport of cargo and other commodities in the Persian Gulf by traders. The airport relies vastly on 1 domestic and 1 international terminal. Moreover, the airport acts as a centre for local residents of the islands who often travel to mainland Iran and business visitors. The airport is operational throughout the day with regular flights, hence ensuring connectivity between mainland Iran and Kish Island.

Runway Length: 12,005 ft
Facilities: restaurants and lounges, and emergency services.
Major Airlines: ATA, Caspian Airlines, Kish Air, Iran Air and Flydubai

3. Ahvaz International Airport (Ahvaz)

Exterior view of the domestic terminal at Ahvaz Airport featuring basic architecture and cars parked.

Photo: Olivia Anne Snyder / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Ahvaz International Airport (AWZ) is situated in Ahvaz, specifically in southwestern Iran. It often serves as a main airport for both domestic and international flight crowds. Ahvaz is a strategically important metropolis of Iran which regulates important economic activities. This makes it one of the most important public airports in Iran. The airport has separate terminals for domestic and international flights making the customs and immigration process relatively easier. Despite its modest size, the airport remains one of the most important parts of Iran Aviation Network. It still ensures smooth transit for ones exploring southern Iran.

Runway Length: 11,148 ft
Facilities: Restaurant, Banking, baggage claim and Wi-Fi
Major Airlines: Air 1 Air, Flypersia and Iran Air

4. Mehrabad International Airport

An airport control tower at Mehrabad with a runway, parked airplanes of IranAir and ground traffic.

Photo: Standardwhale / Wikimedia Commons

Mehrabad International Airport(THR) is another major domestic airport located in the capital city of Tehran. The terminal at THR is quite basic, with a waiting area, ticket counter and few refreshment options, as well as a prayer room. There are 4 terminals at this airport, each serving a particular airline for departure and arrival. Major airlines which fly out from this airport are Iran Air and Qeshm Air. Nearby, the airport transit facilities such as shuttle buses, metro and taxis are available for smoother operations around the city. Local residents who frequently fly instead of driving use the domestic airport, considering it a faster mode of transportation.

Runway Length: 13,258 ft
Facilities: Wheelchair access, Prayer room and cafes
Major Airlines: Meraj Airlines, Karun Airlines and Qeshm Air

5. Mashhad International Airport

Modern interior of Mashhad Airport, with people wearing masks and standing in groups.

Photo: Kasir / Wikimedia Commons

Mashhad Shahid Hashemi Nejad International Airport (MHD) is the primary and only airport located near Razavi Khorasan Province. The province is of great importance because the airport is in close proximity to the holy city of Mashhad. Terminals in the airport offer duty-free services, restaurants, rental options, and exclusive facilities for hajj pilgrims. Due to its religious importance, this airport is the second busiest airport in Iran in terms of passenger visiting. This is especially for religious purposes and due to this various offers like discounts are often seen in the various flights. Airlines like Iran Air and Turkish Airlines operate from here. The airport has 3 separate terminals for domestic, international and hajj pilgrims.

Runway Length: 12,877 ft
Facilities: Duty-free facilities, post office, ATMs
Major Airlines: Iran Airtour, Sepehran Airlines and Taban Air

6. Shiraz International Airport

IranAir aeroplane parked next to the terminal building, and another aeroplane parked at a distance.

Photo: Hamza Izourane / Wikimedia Commons

Shiraz International Airport is the main airport serving Fars Province, situated in the southern Shiraz region of Iran. This airport in Shiraz is considered the busiest airport in the region, with major domestic flights operating with some international flights. This makes it crucial in regulating the country’s air transportation work by managing tourists. The airport has 2 asphalt runways and both terminal buildings. This serves a range of facilities like ATM access, restaurants and cafes, as well as medical facilities. Business travellers who need to fly to Shiraz City often use it for their ease. The accessibility to the airport is catered by bus, taxi and public transport, making travelling for passengers a hassle-free task.

Runway Length: 14,020 ft
Facilities: Prayer rooms and buffets
Major Airlines: ParsAir and Iran Air tour

7. Isfahan International Airport

Unique building of Isfahan International Airport with a statue in the middle of the complex.

Photo: ak ba / Wikimedia Commons

Isfahan International Airport, also known as Shahid Beheshti International airport, serves Isfahan City in the Qahjavarestan area. This old and small airport is located 15 km away from the city centre of Isfahan. The airport mainly served domestic flights managed by Iranian airlines like Iran Air. Still, with higher dependency on other airports, it started to cater a few long-haul flights to destinations like UAE and Kuwait and. With time, it grew perpetually to one of the important airports in Iran. The two terminals at the airport provide basic amenities like a cafe, duty-free ATMs, and prayer rooms for its passengers. The airport plays a pivotal role in connectivity, catering for a convenient gateway for travellers.

Runway Length: 14,425 ft
Facilities: Bank, cafe and restrooms
Major Airlines: Qeshm Air, Iran Air and Pars Air

8. Tabriz International Airport

Airtour aeroplane standing near another aeroplane which is parked next to the terminal building.

Photo: Hansueli Krapf / Wikimedia Commons

Tabriz International Airport, also known as Shahid Madani International Airport, is the primary aviation hub in the northern region of Iran. It is situated in Tabriz, east Azerbaijan province and serves as an international airport. It also facilitates the smooth operation of their oil trade with the world for maintaining a stable economy. The airport has only 1 asphalt runway, and the terminal provides basic amenities like information desks, shopping facilities, prayer rooms, restaurants and cafes. These aid a wide range of tourists and local residents who often use this airport for their ease.

Runway Length: 11,995 ft
Facilities: Amenities for differently – abled people, ATMs and restaurants
Major Airlines: ATA Airlines and Iran Air tour

9. Bandar Abbas International Airport

An airplane of IranAir parked on the tarmac in Bandar Abbas Airport with a tower and terminal building.

Photo: Kasir / Wikimedia Commons

Bandar Abbas International Airport is a significant aviation hub in Iran. It offers getaways to the Persian Gulf region as well as other regional airports. The airport handles traffic from both domestic and international flights, and it is one of the busiest airports in Iran. It maintains its traffic through a single terminal for both international and domestic flights. These offer amenities like information counter ATMs, restaurants, VIP services like priority check-in, etc. Though single runway, it is capable of handling as big aircraft as a Boeing 777, showing the powerhouse of the Iranian air bases. It is a small but highly important airport in Iran because it connects the Gulf of Persia with central and north Iran.

Runway Length: 12,008 ft
Facilities: ATM, bank, prayer rooms and cafes
Major Airlines: Iran Air, Karun Airlines

10. Kerman International Airport

Airbus parked at an airport with cargo loading and unloading with several vehicles parked below.

Photo: Iranairlover / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Kerman International Airport, also known as Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani Airport, is located 11 km away from the city of Kerman. While the airport caters for some international flights, it is widely recognised for handling a large diaspora of domestic and regional flights. The two terminals at the airport provide travellers with basic amenities and some advanced set of facilities. Regular flights to regional areas and international flights to Iraq and Saudi Arabia keep this airport busier. This schedule is catered by hospitable airlines like Iran Air, Kish Air and Fly Dubai. Near the airport, Mahan Air Flying Training Centre is a major training hub for crew members.

Runway Length: 6,657 ft
Facilities: Restaurant, bank, currency exchange
Major Airlines: Mahan Air

As a result, the airport system in Iran is meant to facilitate smooth transit in the entire region. These airports in Iran support connectivity between various islands, mountainous regions and deserts. This is made possible by a combination of international, regional and various private sets of airline services. These are trained to reach the most deserted and isolated locations to ensure convenient travel throughout the nation. Iran’s cultural diversification and rich history are accessible to local residents and tourists through its air services. Plan your visit with TripXL.

Cover Photo: Ivan Shimko / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Iran’s major airports include Imam Khomeini International Airport IKA, Kish International Airport (KIH), Kerman International Airport and Mashhad International Airport.
Yes, IKA has car rentals available through apps like Sepris, Rentauto or Sweech Rent. It is often advisable to use these options for passengers to make transit convenient.
The most relevant airlines serving airports in Iran are Qeshm Air, Iran Air, Karun Air and Mahan Air.
Yes, you can make use of the currency exchange at Imam Khomeini International Airport as well as at Mashhad.
Due to the number of foreign visitors visiting Iran annually, Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, Mashhad International Airport, and Imam Khomeini International Airport are among the busiest.

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