Caspian Sea gateway serving Turkmenistan's port city.
Location
Turkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan
Turkmenbaşy International Airport (IATA: KRW, ICAO: UTAK) serves the city of Turkmenbaşy, formerly known as Krasnovodsk, located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea in western Turkmenistan. The airport handles both domestic and limited international traffic, acting as a regional hub for the Balkan Province.
The airport is relatively small in scale, reflecting the modest size of Turkmenbaşy, which is primarily known as an industrial port city and home to a major oil refinery. Turkmenistan Airlines (TURKMENHOVAYOLLARY) operates services connecting the city to Ashgabat and select other destinations.
The airport gained renewed relevance following major investments in the Turkmenbaşy region, including the development of a large new Avaza tourist zone on the Caspian coast, which has spurred modest growth in visitor traffic.
Terminals
The airport operates a single, modest passenger terminal suited to its regional traffic volumes.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into the city is primarily by taxi or private vehicle, with limited public bus options connecting the airport to the city center.
Airlines here
Turkmenistan Airlines is the primary carrier, operating domestic routes to Ashgabat and occasional international services.
Notable facts
- ›Located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, one of the few Caspian-facing airports in Turkmenistan.
- ›The city was formerly called Krasnovodsk and was renamed Turkmenbaşy in 1993 after the country's first president.
- ›Nearby Avaza National Tourist Zone, a large Caspian resort development, has increased demand for air access.
- ›The airport serves an important oil and gas industry hub, supporting related business travel.
- ›Runway and facility details are not widely published due to limited official transparency from Turkmenistan's aviation authorities.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.