โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Shahrekord Airport (CQD/OIFS) is a significant regional aviation facility located in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province of southwestern Iran, serving the city of Shahrekord. Situated at an elevation of over 2,049 meters (6,722 feet) above sea level, it is one of the highest airports in the country, earning Shahrekord the title of the 'Roof of Iran.' The airport plays a vital role in supporting regional commerce, governmental services, and the local tourism industry, providing a key air link for the mountainous province.
The terminal building is a functional and well-maintained facility designed to manage the regional passenger volume efficiently in the high-altitude environment. Inside, travelers will find a unified departures and arrivals hall, which includes basic check-in counters and a sheltered waiting area with seating. Amenities at the airport are focused on the essentials, such as clean restroom facilities and general information signage. Due to its regional focus and smaller scale, there are no extensive retail shops or diverse dining options available on-site, so visitors are encouraged to make any necessary food or supply purchases in the city center of Shahrekord before their flight.
Operational capacity at Shahrekord Airport is supported by a single paved runway (16/34) measuring approximately 3,005 meters in length, which is capable of handling narrow-body commercial jets and various regional aircraft. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located about 10 kilometers from the city center, with taxi services and private vehicle transfers readily available to transport visitors to their final destination or to explore the province's stunning mountain landscapes and natural springs.
๐ Connection Tips
Shahrekord Airport (CQD) is a domestic regional airport where the main connection challenge is not the airport itself but the Tehran transfer that often surrounds it. If you are arriving internationally into Imam Khomeini and continuing domestically from Mehrabad, you are not making a normal same-airport transfer. You are making a cross-city transfer in one of the region's largest and least predictable urban traffic environments. That is the key fact to plan around.
The domestic leg to Shahrekord can be useful because it saves a long overland journey into a mountainous province, but it is not frequent enough to justify optimistic timing. If the international arrival is delayed, the risk is not simply a missed gate. It is losing the domestic flight and being forced into a lengthy road journey or an overnight in Tehran. The airport at Shahrekord is easy to handle once you arrive. The wider connection chain is where the vulnerability sits.
Use CQD with a Tehran-first strategy. Leave serious buffer between IKA and THR, keep all documents and domestic booking details readily accessible, and do not assume the short domestic segment can be rebooked painlessly if something slips. Shahrekord is a practical regional endpoint, but any itinerary involving both Tehran airports should be treated conservatively from the start.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Sahand Airport (ACP), with ICAO code OITM, is a small public airport situated in Maragheh, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. It primarily serves the local communities of Maragheh and Bonab, facilitating essential domestic flights. The airport operates from a single, compact terminal building that is designed for basic passenger processing. Its layout is straightforward and integrated, featuring clearly defined areas for check-in and a simple waiting area before passengers proceed to the departure gate.
The terminal, though modest, aims to provide functional services. While detailed information about extensive internal amenities is not readily available, travelers should expect basic facilities suitable for a regional airport. There are no extensive retail shops or dedicated dining options beyond perhaps a small cafรฉ or snack bar. VIP lounges are available, catering to passengers seeking additional comfort and privacy.
Security procedures at ACP adhere to national regulations for regional airports, involving standard screening protocols for both carry-on and checked baggage, along with personal checks. Given the limited flight schedule and moderate passenger volume, wait times at security checkpoints are generally short, rarely exceeding 10-15 minutes during peak periods. As ACP handles domestic traffic exclusively, there are no international immigration or customs facilities on site; these functions would be processed at larger international airports in Iran if connecting from an international flight.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Sahand Airport involves navigating Iran's most limited domestic aviation facility serving Maragheh and Bonab in East Azerbaijan Province, where Iran Air operates the sole commercial route with flight IR3384 providing once-weekly service to Tehran-Mehrabad International Airport using ATR 72/42 turboprop aircraft for the 1 hour 30 minute journey. This minimal schedule makes ACP one of Iran's least connected airports, requiring careful coordination for travelers needing to reach this northwestern region known for its historical significance as the former Mongol capital and astronomical observatory site dating to the 13th century.
Domestic connections through Tehran-Mehrabad's Terminal 2 enable access to Iran Air's extensive domestic network serving over 30 Iranian cities including Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Bandar Abbas, while international connections require transfer to Imam Khomeini International Airport located 30 kilometers south of Tehran for foreign carrier services. The limited weekly frequency demands flexible travel planning with potential multi-day stays in Maragheh if missing the single departure, making road transport via the 75-kilometer journey to Tabriz International Airport a common alternative for more frequent flight options.
Ground transportation from Sahand Airport to Maragheh city center 15 kilometers away relies primarily on pre-arranged taxis with negotiated fares as no public transport serves this remote facility, while the historic city offers access to UNESCO-tentative sites including the Maragheh Observatory remains and Ilkhanid period monuments. Weather considerations in this mountainous region at 1,350 meters elevation include severe winters with potential snow disruptions from December through March affecting the single runway operations, while summer heat exceeding 35ยฐC can impact ATR aircraft performance. The airport's strategic importance remains limited to serving local government officials and providing emergency medical evacuation capabilities for this agricultural region producing grapes, apricots, and walnuts in the fertile Sufi Chay river valley.
โ Back to Shahrekord Airport