Issyk-Kul International Airport IKU

Issyk-Kul International Airport (IKU) is next to Tamchy, on the north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, and serves the lake’s summer resort area. It began operating in 1975 as a reserve airport for nearby Cholpon-Ata; the current runway and terminal date from 2003. It is small, but has a very long runway (3,800 m) that can take large aircraft.

Terminals

A single terminal building, with arrivals and departures under the same roof and border and customs control for international flights.

Airlines and destinations

Carriers that have served it include Aeroflot, with flights to Moscow, and Asman Airlines, with links to Tashkent, Almaty, Osh and Batken. In summer, seasonal flights from Russia and Kazakhstan are added, such as those of S7 Airlines and FlyArystan.

Services

This is a small airport with basic services. The 2016 upgrade gave it an ILS and meteorological equipment, and it is approved for 24-hour operation.

Tips

Flights are concentrated in summer, when the lakeshore accommodation are full; outside the season, flights are scarce. If you are coming for a few days on the north shore, arrange your transfer with your accommodation and confirm your flight time with the airline.