โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Korla Licheng Airport (KRL) operates from a comprehensive two-story terminal building spanning 25,000 square meters, strategically positioned in Xinier Town, Weili County, approximately 17 kilometers southwest of Korla city center in Xinjiang's Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. The terminal design reflects modern Chinese aviation architecture while incorporating regional cultural elements appropriate to its location in the Silk Road corridor. With 20 check-in counters and 9 security channels, the facility efficiently processes domestic passengers traveling between Korla and major Chinese cities, serving as an important regional hub connecting the resource-rich Tarim Basin to national transportation networks.
Passenger amenities at Korla Licheng Airport emphasize comfort and convenience for travelers in this remote but economically significant region of western China. The second-floor First Class Lounge provides premium passengers with WiFi access, television entertainment, refreshments, and reading materials, while a dedicated nursing room accommodates families with young children. The terminal features specialized services including lockers in the arrivals hall for clothing changes and unique accommodation arrangements offering free hotel rooms for passengers with connecting flights within three-day windows, reflecting the airport's role in serving long-distance domestic routes across China's vast territory.
Dining and retail facilities within the terminal showcase local Xinjiang specialties and essential travel amenities, supported by ATM services and comprehensive parking facilities for regional travelers who drive to the airport. The terminal's location in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region provides distinctive cultural and culinary experiences that reflect the area's position along historic trade routes, with local restaurants and shops offering products unique to this crossroads region between Central and East Asia. Ground transportation connections link the airport to downtown Korla, facilitating access to the Tarim River region's oil industry operations, agricultural centers, and cultural attractions that draw both business and leisure travelers to this strategically important city in China's far west.
๐ Connection Tips
Korla Loulan Airport (KRL) is a premier regional aviation gateway situated in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, serving as the essential link to the historic city of Korla and the nearby Loulan ruins. Ground transportation is well-managed via a dedicated airport shuttle bus that meets arriving flights for the 12-kilometer journey into central Korla for just 15 CNY. Arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure is recommended to navigate the thorough security screening common in regional Xinjiang hubs. KRL remains a professional and highly capable entry point into the 'Pear City' of Xinjiang.
For travelers, a standout feature is the expansive Terminal 2, inaugurated in 2017, which significantly improved the passenger experience with modern security zones and streamlined check-in processes. Taxis are also readily available outside the arrivals hall; it is highly recommended to use authorized vehicles for the 20-minute transit. The facility also plays a vital role in supporting the regionโs massive petrochemical and textile industries.
Commercial service is robust, with carriers like China Southern, Air China, and Tianjin Airlines providing frequent non-stops to major national hubs including Urumqi (URC), Beijing (PEK), and Shanghai (PVG). Within the modern 25,000-square-meter terminal, passengers have access to premium amenities including well-appointed VIP lounges and specialized shops selling world-famous regional Xinjiang fruits and silk handicrafts. Always confirm your flight status via the airlineโs app, as desert wind patterns and seasonal storms can occasionally impact schedules on the 2,780-meter runway.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
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.
๐ 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 รrรผmqi 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 ยฅ20-30 ($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 -20ยฐC in winter to 40ยฐC 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.
โ Back to Korla Licheng Airport