⚡ Connection Time Dashboard
🏢 Terminal Guide & Navigation
Aral Talim Airport (ACF), with ICAO code ZWAL, is a modern public airport located in Tanan, about 12 kilometers south of Aral in Xinjiang, China. It opened on June 16, 2022, making it a relatively new regional facility designed to improve connectivity for the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The airport operates from a single compact terminal building of about 4,509 square meters and includes six gates for passenger operations.
The terminal layout is simple, with check-in, security, and departure areas all located within one structure. This keeps walking distances short and makes navigation straightforward. Most passengers can move from the entrance to their gate in just a few minutes, which is helpful given the airport's regional role.
Security procedures at ACF follow Chinese aviation standards, including screening of carry-on bags, checked baggage, and passengers. Because the airport handles mainly domestic traffic and moderate volumes, waits are usually manageable. International immigration and customs facilities are not available on site, so those formalities must be completed at larger gateway airports in China when traveling internationally.
Airlines Serving ACF
💡 Connection Tips
Connecting through Aral Talim Airport involves navigating China's newest desert aviation facility opened June 16, 2022, as the first airport built on collapsible loess geology serving the Tarim River Basin from its strategic position 12 kilometers south of Aral in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps region. The Category 4C airport's 2,800-meter runway accommodates Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 aircraft supporting 16 planned domestic routes designed to handle 300,000 passengers, 1,100 tons of cargo, and 3,200 flights annually while integrating this remote region into the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative.
Domestic connections focus on major Chinese aviation hubs with China Southern Airlines operating Shanghai routes (flight CZ5566) while regional carriers including Tianjin Airlines, Urumqi Air, and China Express Airlines provide connectivity throughout Xinjiang and western China. The primary gateway for onward connections remains Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport located 850 kilometers north, offering comprehensive domestic coverage and international services to Central Asia, while eastern connections through Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi'an enable access to China's extensive high-speed rail network and international gateway airports.
Ground transportation from the compact 4,509-square-meter terminal includes taxi services covering the 12-kilometer journey to Aral city center in 15 minutes for ¥20-30 ($3-4 USD), while the airport's location in the Tarim Basin desert requires consideration of frequent dust storms from April through September affecting visibility and flight operations. The facility's modern infrastructure includes six gates and parking positions supporting regional economic development for agricultural exports from this cotton-producing region, while serving the strategic military and economic interests of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Weather considerations in this extreme continental desert climate include temperature variations from -20°C in winter to 40°C in summer, requiring flexible scheduling for connections through this remote outpost supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative connectivity goals in Central Asia's borderlands.
Expert Travel Tips & Insights
Pro Traveler Secrets
• New 2022 airport - check online 48hrs before for early check-in.
• 4C category supports B737-800/A320 - larger aircraft than most regional.
• Emergency contacts: Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119 in China.
• Desert location - dust storms common April-September affecting visibility.
• Baggage: 11kg carry-on strict limit on small regional aircraft.
• Taxi to city center 12km/15min costs ¥20-30 ($3-4 USD).
• Check flight status for Xinjiang weather delays - desert storms can affect operations.
Quick Facts
Minimum domestic connection:
60 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
⭐ Google Maps Reviews & Ratings
🌟 View Real-Time Airport Reviews
See current Google Maps reviews, ratings, photos, and traveler experiences for Aral Talim Airport (ACF).
Interactive Airport Location
🛠️ Traveler Tools
⚖️ Airport Comparison
Compare ACF/ZWAL with another airport: Comparison Tool
🗺️ Airport Map
Nearby Airports in Asia
Altay Xuedu Airport
Altay, China
Xingyi Wanfenglin Airport
Xingyi, China
Baise (Bose) Bama Airport
Baise (Tianyang), China
Ar Horqin Airport
Chifeng, China
Hongyuan Airport
Ngawa (Hongyuan), China