Skardu Airport (KDU)

Skardu, PK 🇵🇰 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

OPSD

IATA

KDU

Elevation

7316 ft

Region

PK-GB

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: OPSD

Local Code: Not available

Location: 35.335499° N, 75.536003° E

Continent: AS

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
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Departures
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External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Skardu Airport (OPSD / KDU) generally offers a unique and memorable travel experience, primarily due to its stunning mountainous surroundings and a notably serene atmosphere. While travelers appreciate the efficient processes for a smaller airport, there are common points of concern regarding amenities and occasional operational challenges.

What Travelers Love
  • Breathtaking Scenic Views: Passengers consistently praise the unparalleled views of snow-capped mountains and lush valleys during arrival and departure, making the flight itself a significant part of the travel experience.
  • Serene and Relaxed Ambiance: The airport's relatively small size contributes to a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere compared to larger, busier international airports.
  • Efficient Arrival Process: Despite its recent upgrade to international status, the airport maintains a reputation for a smooth and efficient immigration process with generally quick queues for both domestic and international travelers.
  • Vast Parking Area: The airport offers a substantial parking area, with ongoing developments to further expand capacity for the increasing number of visitors.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Terminal Facilities and Amenities: Travelers often note the modest terminal with essential but limited services, including few food options and a lower satisfaction rating for terminal facilities, food and retail, and Wi-Fi compared to larger airports.
  • Flight Delays and Cancellations: Unpredictable weather conditions in the mountainous region frequently lead to flight delays or cancellations, necessitating careful travel planning.
  • "Offloading" Issues for International Travelers: A significant recent concern since early 2025 involves Pakistani citizens with valid documents being "offloaded" from international flights by immigration officers without clear reasons, leading to cancelled journeys and financial losses.
  • Challenging Flight Conditions: The mountainous terrain surrounding Skardu Airport contributes to its reputation for having a challenging and sometimes "dangerous" flight experience, especially due to rapidly changing weather.

Overall, Skardu Airport serves as a vital gateway to the natural beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a tranquil and visually spectacular start and end to a journey. However, travelers should be prepared for basic amenities and potential weather-related disruptions, and international Pakistani travelers should be aware of reported "offloading" issues.

Generated 6 days ago

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Destination IATA City Aircraft Type Airline Details Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at Skardu Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
3 22 3 Nov 27, 2025
Airblue
ABQ / PA
3 13 3 Oct 29, 2025
Showing top 2 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
14/32 11998 ft 98 ft ASP Active
15/33 6501 ft 101 ft ASP Active

Type Description Frequency
GND TWR 121.8 MHz
RDO RDO 292.3 MHz
TWR TWR 119.7 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency
SD Skardu NDB 247 kHz

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Taxis and private cars are the most common form of transportation available directly outside the airport terminal. Fares are typically not metered, so it is essential to negotiate and agree on a price with the driver before beginning your journey. The drive to Skardu town usually takes about 30-40 minutes.

Rental Cars

Traditional self-drive car rental agencies (like Hertz or Avis) are not available at Skardu Airport. However, you can easily hire a private vehicle with a driver, which is the standard practice in the region. Options range from cars to more rugged 4x4s and jeeps, which are necessary for mountain travel. It is highly recommended to arrange this service in advance through your hotel or a local tour operator, especially during peak season.

Public Transportation

There are no formal, scheduled public bus or train services that connect directly to Skardu Airport. The primary means of getting to and from the airport are taxis or pre-booked private vehicles. While shared jeeps operate on main routes in the region, there is no dedicated public transit line serving the airport.

Nearby Airports

Gilgit Airport
GIL • OPGT
Gilgit, PK
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~127 km away
Gilgit Airport
GIL • OPGT
Gilgit, PK
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~127 km away
Kargil Airport
VI65
Kargil, IN
Small Airport
~106 km away
Chilas Airport
CHB • OPCL
Chilas, PK
Small Airport
~133 km away
Kargil Heliport
IN-0303
Kargil, IN
Heliport
~102 km away
Sonamarg (Namrose Resorts) Heliport
IN-0385
Sonamarg, IN
Heliport
~116 km away
Sonamarg Heliport
IN-0384
Sonamarg, IN
Heliport
~117 km away
Nilgrar Heliport
IN-0383
Sonamarg, IN
Heliport
~118 km away
Gilgit Heliport
PK-0004
Gilgit, PK
Heliport
~126 km away
Pahalgam Heliport
IN-0386
Pahalgam, IN
Heliport
~148 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.