List of Airports in Afghanistan

As of 2024, there are 27 airports throughout the country of Afghanistan according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Afghanistan are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.

List of All Airports in Afghanistan

#	Airport	Abbreviation	Location	Size
1	Bamiyan Airport	BIN	Bamiyan	Small
2	Bost Airport	BST	Bost	Small
3	Chakcharan Airport	CCN	Chakcharan	Small
4	Darwaz Airport	DAZ	Darwaz	Small
5	Faizabad Airport	FBD	Faizabad	Small
6	Farah Airport	FAH	Farah	Small
7	Gardez Airport	GRG	Gardez	Small
8	Ghazni Airport	GZI	Ghazni	Small
9	Herat Airport	HEA	Herat	Small
10	Jalalabad Airport	JAA	Jalalabad	Small
11	Kandahar Airport	KDH	Kandahar	Small
12	Khost Airport	KHT	Khost	Small
13	Khwahan Airport	KWH	Khwahan	Small
14	Khwaja Rawash Airport	KBL	Kabul	Small
15	Kunduz Airport	UND	Kunduz	Small
16	Kuran-O-Munjan Airport	KUR	Kuran-O-Munjan	Small
17	Maimana Airport	MMZ	Maimana	Small
18	Mazar-I-Sharif Airport	MZR	Mazar-I-Sharif	Small
19	Nimroz Airport	IMZ	Nimroz	Small
20	Qala Nau Airport	LQN	Qala Nau	Small
21	Sardeh Band Airport	SBF	Sardeh Band	Small
22	Sheghnan Airport	SGA	Sheghnan	Small
23	Taluqan Airport	TQN	Taluqan	Small
24	Tirinkot Airport	TII	Tirinkot	Small
25	Urgoon Airport	URN	Urgoon	Small
26	Uruzgan Airport	URZ	Uruzgan	Small
27	Zaranj Airport	ZAJ	Zaranj	Small

Major Airports in Afghanistan

1. Kabul International Airport (KBL)

Airport Code:

KBL

Time Zone:

Afghanistan Time (AFT) – UTC +4:30

Address:

Kabul International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan

Nearby Cities:

• Kabul
• Logar
• Parwan
• Wardak

Major Airlines Served:

• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Kam Air
• Flydubai
• Turkish Airlines

Airport Location and History:

Kabul International Airport (KBL) is located in the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, and serves as the country’s primary gateway for international and domestic flights. The airport has a rich history, with its initial construction dating back to the 1960s. Over the years, KBL has undergone multiple renovations and expansions, particularly after the changes in Afghanistan’s political landscape. The airport has seen periods of war and reconstruction, including the challenges following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

During the Soviet era, KBL was a significant hub in Central Asia. Over the decades, it has faced significant challenges due to political instability, which resulted in damage to infrastructure. In the 2000s, reconstruction efforts were underway, and the airport started to modernize its facilities to accommodate growing air traffic. Despite security concerns, Kabul International Airport remains a crucial entry and exit point for both international travelers and humanitarian aid.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

Kabul International Airport has a single main runway and a secondary runway used for military and cargo operations. The main runway, designated as 11/29, is 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) long, which is long enough to accommodate a variety of aircraft, including wide-body jets like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. Although the infrastructure is somewhat outdated due to the years of instability, efforts have been made to enhance passenger services, terminal facilities, and safety standards. The airport is capable of handling international flights with varying frequencies and is the base for major Afghan airlines.

2. Kandahar International Airport (KDH)

Airport Code:

KDH

Time Zone:

Afghanistan Time (AFT) – UTC +4:30

Address:

Kandahar International Airport, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Nearby Cities:

• Kandahar
• Zabul
• Helmand
• Urozgan

Major Airlines Served:

• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Kam Air
• Paktia Air

Airport Location and History:

Kandahar International Airport (KDH) is located in the southern part of Afghanistan, in the city of Kandahar, which is the second-largest city in the country. This airport plays an essential role in both domestic and international aviation, particularly for flights to and from the southern region. Kandahar Airport has been a military and civilian aviation hub for many years, especially given its strategic location near the border with Pakistan.

Originally, the airport was established in the early 1960s and has undergone multiple expansions and renovations over the years. Its importance grew significantly during the Soviet-Afghan war and the following years of conflict. It became a key base for NATO and U.S. forces during the Afghanistan War. After 2001, the airport was further developed to accommodate both military and civilian operations. Security challenges and occasional Taliban influence have hindered its growth, but Kandahar Airport remains a key airport in Afghanistan’s aviation landscape.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

Kandahar International Airport has two primary runways. The main runway, 08/26, is 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) long, capable of handling a wide range of aircraft, including narrow-body jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. While the runway can accommodate larger aircraft, the airport’s infrastructure, particularly the terminals, is less developed than that of Kabul International Airport. The airport serves both civilian flights and military operations, which sometimes affect the availability of resources and passenger service facilities. However, the airport is crucial for connecting southern Afghanistan to major cities across the world.

3. Herat International Airport (HEA)

Airport Code:

HEA

Time Zone:

Afghanistan Time (AFT) – UTC +4:30

Address:

Herat International Airport, Herat, Afghanistan

Nearby Cities:

• Herat
• Farah
• Ghor
• Badghis

Major Airlines Served:

• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Kam Air
• Flydubai

Airport Location and History:

Herat International Airport (HEA) is located in Herat, a major city in the western region of Afghanistan. Serving as a key transit hub for travelers from western Afghanistan, the airport connects the country to various international destinations, including the Middle East and Central Asia. Originally built during the 1970s, the airport saw significant damage during the Afghan civil war and the subsequent years of conflict. However, it has since been rebuilt and upgraded to meet international standards.

Herat has always been a crucial economic and cultural center in Afghanistan, and its airport has contributed to its role as a gateway between Afghanistan and neighboring countries. Over the past two decades, the airport has received considerable attention from the Afghan government and international partners, which has led to infrastructural improvements aimed at enhancing both the capacity and security of the airport. Although it is smaller than Kabul and Kandahar airports, it remains vital for international travel from the western region of Afghanistan.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

Herat International Airport has one runway, designated 14/32, which is 3,200 meters (10,499 feet) long. This runway is capable of accommodating a wide variety of aircraft, including large commercial airliners such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. The airport’s infrastructure has been improved over the years, with the construction of a new terminal and enhanced baggage handling systems. Although it can handle international flights, the facilities may not yet meet the same level of luxury or capacity as larger airports, which limits its operational scope.

4. Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR)

Airport Code:

MZR

Time Zone:

Afghanistan Time (AFT) – UTC +4:30

Address:

Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport, Balkh, Afghanistan

Nearby Cities:

• Mazar-i-Sharif
• Balkh
• Samangan
• Jowzjan

Major Airlines Served:

• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Kam Air
• Paktia Air

Airport Location and History:

Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR) is located in the northern part of Afghanistan in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, an important economic and cultural center in the region. The airport was originally built in the 1950s but saw major developments in the 2000s after the fall of the Taliban. As one of the largest airports in northern Afghanistan, MZR is key to providing access to this region for both domestic and international travel.

The airport also plays a strategic role for both civilian and military purposes, especially due to its proximity to Central Asia. Following the overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001, MZR was renovated and expanded with international aid. Today, the airport provides essential services to the people of northern Afghanistan and connects them to other regions within the country and beyond.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport has one main runway, 17/35, which is 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) in length. This runway is long enough to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340, making it one of the more versatile airports in Afghanistan. The infrastructure has seen continuous improvements, particularly in its terminal and airside facilities. The airport is equipped with modern communication systems, baggage handling systems, and customs facilities to accommodate both international and domestic flights. Despite security challenges in the region, MZR continues to serve as a significant regional hub.

5. Jalalabad Airport (JAA)

Airport Code:

JAA

Time Zone:

Afghanistan Time (AFT) – UTC +4:30

Address:

Jalalabad Airport, Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Nearby Cities:

• Jalalabad
• Nangarhar
• Kunar
• Laghman

Major Airlines Served:

• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Kam Air

Airport Location and History:

Jalalabad Airport (JAA) is located in the eastern part of Afghanistan, serving as the main airport for the region. The airport’s proximity to the border with Pakistan makes it an important air link for travelers between the two countries. JAA has a relatively modest history compared to other major Afghan airports, and while it was originally a smaller regional facility, it has grown in importance over the years. The airport has also been used for military purposes during Afghanistan’s ongoing conflicts.

Jalalabad itself is one of Afghanistan’s oldest cities and has a significant role in the country’s trade and agriculture. Despite its importance, the airport has faced challenges related to security, which have occasionally hindered its operations. However, it remains a key transport hub for both domestic and international travel from the eastern region of Afghanistan.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

Jalalabad Airport has one main runway, which measures approximately 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) in length. The airport can accommodate regional aircraft, including smaller jets such as the Boeing 737. However, it is not fully equipped to handle larger wide-body aircraft. While the airport’s infrastructure is not as developed as that of Kabul or Herat, it provides the essential facilities for travelers, including passenger terminals and customs services. Despite limited capacity, Jalalabad Airport serves as an essential connection for the eastern provinces of Afghanistan.