โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Kish International Airport (KIH) is a premier aviation hub serving the Kish Free Trade Zone in the Persian Gulf, Iran. As of early 2026, the airport has significantly expanded its operations following the inauguration of its state-of-the-art New Passenger Terminal in late 2023. This massive 49,000-square-meter facility, the third largest in Iran, is designed to handle up to 6 million passengers annually. The airport acts as a critical international gateway, offering a unique 14-day visa-free entry scheme for foreign citizens arriving directly from abroad, making it a major hub for tourism and trade.
The terminal layout is vertically organized across four levels to ensure maximum efficiency and passenger comfort. The new main hub primarily handles domestic flights, featuring 48 modern check-in counters and 10 passenger boarding bridges (PBB) for direct aircraft access. The older terminal buildings have been repurposed to manage international arrivals and departures separately. This multi-terminal complex is equipped with 12 elevators and 10 escalators to facilitate vertical transit, ensuring that even during peak travel periods, passenger movement between check-in, security, and boarding remain streamlined.
Amenities within the Kish terminal provide a high standard of service while reflecting the island's upscale resort atmosphere. Passengers can relax in dedicated VIP and CIP (Commercial Important Person) lounges, which offer business services, refreshments, and fast-track immigration processing. The commercial zone features extensive duty-free shopping in the international sector, alongside several cafes and restaurants serving both traditional Persian and international cuisine. Other essential facilities include multiple ATMs (Bank Mellat, Sepah, Saderat), 24/7 medical emergency services, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and well-appointed prayer rooms.
Ground transportation at KIH is well-coordinated with the island's modern infrastructure, with most major hotels and tourist attractions just a 10-to-15 minute drive away. Yellow airport taxis are readily available 24/7 outside the arrivals halls of both the new and old terminals, providing reliable and regulated links to the central business district. For those arriving by private vehicle, a large parking lot with a capacity for over 500 vehicles is situated directly adjacent to the new terminal. Travelers are generally advised to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures to account for thorough security and documentation checks.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting at Kish International Airport (KIH) is an increasingly efficient experience thanks to its newly expanded, integrated terminal complex. For most travelers, a 'connection' here involves transitioning from a domestic flight from Tehran (THR) or Shiraz (SYZ) to local ground transport for travel across the island's resort areas or an international flight to hubs like Dubai (DXB). Since the new terminal handles the majority of traffic, moving between domestic and international sectors can be completed efficiently. However, it is advisable to allow at least 120 minutes for any onward connection to account for baggage retrieval and potential customs re-checks.
Ground transportation is the most critical link for any traveler transiting through Kish who wishes to explore the island during a long layover. While official taxis are reliable, most major luxury resorts on the island provide pre-arranged shuttle services that meet guests at the arrivals exit. If your onward journey involves a connection to a domestic ferry service to mainland Iran, ensure you have a minimum buffer of 60 to 90 minutes to account for the drive to the Kish port.
Digital information displays throughout the terminal provide real-time updates on flight statuses and gate assignments in both Persian and English, making it easy to track your next leg while you wait in the comfortable airside lounges. Practical preparation for a KIH connection includes utilizing the airport's modern digital infrastructure. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, allowing you to stay connected and confirm onward hotel or reef diving bookings.
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 Kish International Airport