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Imagine a land where the wide Karakum Desert extends to meet lustrous white cities, a place where whispers of the archaic Silk Road combine with the roar of jet engines. This place is Turkmenistan, a land where the transformation of travel is engraved in concrete and glass. Airports in Turkmenistan are not inconsiderable transit points but entrances to an extraordinary cultural tapestry. From the archetypal, bird-shaped international airport to the domestic aerodromes connecting remote desert places, these airports are major threads in the country’s fabric. In this article, we are discussing the major airports in Turkmenistan.
Top 7 Famous Airports In Turkmenistan
Explore the most popular airports in Turkmenistan, including their locations, types, passenger capacities, key facilities, and significance in regional connectivity.
1. Ashgabat International Airport
Photo: P. Hughes / Wikimedia Commons
Ashgabat International Airport is one of the major international airports in Turkmenistan. This airport serves as the main hub for Turkmenistan Airlines, the national carrier of the country. This airport in Turkmenistan was opened in 1994, and to increase the airport’s capacity and facility, a new terminal was opened in 2016. Ashgabat International Airport has a state-of-the-art terminal which is designed to manage both domestic and international flights. The terminal has necessary amenities such as check-in counters, VIP lounges, restaurants, duty-free shops and currency exchange services.
Airport Code: ASB
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Ashgabat, Mary, Dashoguz
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai
Active Runways: Two
Transportation: Shuttle buses and taxis connect Ashgabat Airport with Ashgabat city
2. Turkmenbashi International Airport
Photo: AltynAsyr / Wikimedia Commons
Turkmenbashi International Airport, serving western Turkmenistan, handles both passenger and cargo flights. Originally built in the 1970s, it was modernised in 2010 to accommodate increasing traffic. Located near the Caspian Sea, it is a key gateway for business and tourism. The terminal offers check-in counters, baggage claim, customs, and limited duty-free shops. While its facilities are more basic than Ashgabat International Airport, Turkmenbashi remains an essential transport hub for the region.
Airport Code: KRW
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Turkmenbashi, Balkanabat, Ashgabat
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, FlyDubai
Active Runways: Two
Transportation: Shuttle buses and taxis connect Turkmenbashi Airport with the city centre and surrounding areas
3. Mary International Airport
Photo: Ralf Roletschek / Wikimedia Commons / image For Representation Only
Mary International Airport, located in southeastern Turkmenistan, primarily serves domestic flights and limited regional international routes. Originally built in the 1960s, it has undergone renovations to enhance passenger capacity and modernise facilities. The airport connects Turkmenistan with Ashgabat and other major cities, playing a key role in regional travel. Due to its proximity to Uzbekistan, it serves as an entry point for travellers. The terminal offers essential services, including baggage claim, customs, check-in counters, and duty-free shops.
Airport Code: MYP
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Mary, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Mary, Bairam Ali, Ashgabat.
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines
Active Runways: One
Transportation: Ground transportation options include shuttle buses and taxis that connect Mary International Airport with the city centre and surrounding areas
4. Dashoguz International Airport
Photo: Martin St-Amant (S23678) / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Dashoguz International Airport, located in northern Turkmenistan, serves as a key transit hub for the region. It connects Dashoguz with Ashgabat and select destinations in neighbouring Central Asian countries. The airport is a primary gateway for tourists visiting the UNESCO-listed Kunya-Urgench. Though smaller than Ashgabat or Turkmenbashi airports, it provides essential services, including baggage handling, customs, immigration, and a small duty-free shop. Despite lower traffic, it remains vital for linking northern and southern Turkmenistan.
Airport Code: TAZ
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Dashoguz, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Dashoguz, Kunya-Urgench, Ashgabat.
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines, FlyDubai.
Active Runways: Single
Transportation: It has good ground transportation options that connect Dashoguz International Airport with the city centre and surrounding areas
5. Balkanabat International Airport
Photo: Joe Ravi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Balkanabat International Airport, located in western Turkmenistan, serves the city and surrounding regions. Though smaller, it plays a crucial role in regional connectivity, primarily handling domestic flights to Ashgabat and limited international routes to Russia and the UAE. While its infrastructure is more basic than Ashgabat or Turkmenbashi airports, it offers essential services like check-in counters, baggage claim, and small shops. Its proximity to the Caspian Sea enhances its strategic significance for business and travel.
Airport Code: BKN
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Balkanabat, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Balkanabat, Turkmenbashi, Ashgabat.
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines
Active Runways: Single
Number of Terminals: One
Transportation: It has good ground transportation options that connect the airport with the city centre and surrounding areas
6. Turkmenabat International Airport
Photo: Tim J Keegan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Turkmenabat International Airport is located around 13 km from the city centre. This airport was built in 1926 and frequently reconstructed. The airport’s passenger terminal, shaped in an octagonal star of Oguz Han, is noted in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest star-shaped building in the world. Turkmenabat International Airport covers the domestic routes of the nation, as well as transit and charter international flights. This airport consists of several necessary amenities such as information boards, an international and long-distance communication centre, cafeterias, duty-free shops and a medical centre.
Airport Code: CRZ
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines
Active Runways: Single
Number of Terminals: One
Transportation: It has good ground transportation options as it is located close to the M37 Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway and the Ashgabat-Kerki railway.
7. Kerki International Airport
Photo: 颐园居 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kerki International Airport is located in Kerki, Lebap Province in east Turkmenistan. The main purpose of Kerki Airport is to serve as a secondary airport in the Lebap region, where the primary airport is Turkmenabat International Airport. This airport was opened in 1946, and to fulfill the passenger pressure, the new airport of Kerki was constructed in 2021. The main terminal of this airport has a waiting room, two ticket offices, first aid rooms, international communication points, a left-luggage office, a post office, a cafeteria, a canteen and a mother and a children’s room.
Airport Code: KEA
Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT)/ UTC+5
Address: Kerki, Lebap Province, Turkmenistan
Nearby Cities: Kerki, Turkmenabat, Sayat
Major Airlines Served: Turkmenistan Airlines
Active Runways: Single
Transportation: Basic transportation options are available for tourists. Taxis and car rental services make it convenient for tourists to reach the city
The airports in Turkmenistan have an important role in connecting the nation with the world, highlighting both domestic and international travel. With state-of-the-art facilities, efficient services and strategic locations, these airports are equally important for Turkmenistan’s economic growth and tourism. The inter-region flight services provide seamless experiences to travellers. Therefore, for an enhanced and memorable travel experience, plan your Turkmenistan trip with TripXL to explore the country with comfort and convenience.
Cover Photo: PLBechly / Wikimedia Commons
