Altay Xuedu Airport (AAT)
Altay, CN 🇨🇳 Medium Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
ZWAT
IATA
AAT
Elevation
2460 ft
Region
CN-65
Local Time
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GPS Code: ZWAT
Local Code: Not available
Location: 47.749886° N, 88.085808° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Medium Airport
Keywords: Altay Air Base
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Altay Xuedu Airport (ZWAT (AAT)) in Altay, CN, has experienced significant growth in passenger volume in recent years, largely driven by the booming ice and snow tourism economy in the region. While official data and reports highlight efforts to optimize routes and improve services, one travel guide aggregates a lower overall rating of 2.3/5 from 46 reviews, suggesting a mixed traveler sentiment. However, other sources indicate generally good satisfaction with specific operational aspects like security and baggage claim.
What Travelers Love
- Growing Connectivity and Convenience: The airport has expanded its flight routes, now operating 34 routes connecting to major cities like Urumqi, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, making it more accessible for tourists. Direct flights are particularly appreciated by travelers from cities like Xi'an, significantly reducing travel time.
- Specialized Services for Ski Tourists: During the snow season, Altay Xuedu Airport offers dedicated services for winter sports enthusiasts, including special counters and inspection channels for snow equipment, and free transport of snow equipment from the airport to the urban area, addressing a key concern for ski travelers.
- Efficient Security and Customs: Travelers generally report positive experiences with airport processes, with security checks and immigration/customs rated at 80% satisfaction. Current security wait times are reported as approximately 25 minutes, with passport control at around 8 minutes.
- Effective Baggage Claim: Baggage claim services receive a high satisfaction rating of 83%.
Common Complaints
- Mixed Overall Satisfaction: Despite operational improvements and increased passenger numbers, some aggregated traveler reviews indicate a lower overall satisfaction, with one platform showing a 2.3/5 rating. Specific details of these complaints are not widely available in recent summaries.
- Limited Food and Retail Options: Food and retail services within the terminal receive a lower satisfaction rating of 66%, suggesting a potential area for improvement in variety and quality.
- Lack of Airport Shuttle Bus: There is no dedicated airport shuttle bus service to the city center, meaning travelers must rely on taxis for onward transportation from the airport, which is located about 10-13 km from the city proper.
- Transportation Challenges for Remote Areas: While the airport provides good connections, reaching more remote scenic spots like Hemu and Kanas in winter often requires 4WD vehicles with snow tires, and self-driving in these conditions is not recommended.
Overall, Altay Xuedu Airport is a rapidly developing regional airport, particularly catering to the winter sports and tourism market with specialized services. While its connectivity and operational efficiency are generally well-regarded, enhancing terminal amenities, particularly food and retail options, and providing more diverse and convenient public transportation links to the city and beyond could further improve the traveler experience.
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Airport Routes
Altay Xuedu Airport (AAT) offers 44 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Chengdu Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Express Airlines and others. Popular destinations from Altay include Xi'an Xianyang Int'l, Urumqi Diwopu Int'l, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Shihezi Huayuan and Beijing Capital Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Xi'an Xianyang Int'l (XIY) 3
- Urumqi Diwopu Int'l (URC) 2
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) 2
- Shihezi Huayuan (SHF) 2
- Beijing Capital Int'l (PEK) 2
- Tacheng (TCG) 2
- Aksu (AKU) 2
- Jiangbulake Airport (JBK) 2
- Shanghai Pudong Int'l (PVG) 2
- Bole Alashankou (Bortala) (BPL) 2
- Chengdu Tianfu Int'l (TFU) 2
- Yining (YIN) 2
Newly Discovered
- Aksu (AKU) new
- Yining (YIN) new
- Shanghai Pudong Int'l (PVG) new
- Xi'an Xianyang Int'l (XIY) new
- Tacheng (TCG) new
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) new
- Chengdu Tianfu Int'l (TFU) new
- Beijing Capital Int'l (PEK) new
- Urumqi Diwopu Int'l (URC) new
- Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l (SHA) new
- Yinchuan Helanshan (INC) new
- Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Altay Xuedu AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chengdu Airlines
UEA
/ EU
|
14 | 340 | 14 | Jan 30, 2026 |
China Southern Airlines
CSN
/ CZ
|
9 | 201 | 9 | Jan 30, 2026 |
China Express Airlines
HXA
/ G5
|
8 | 172 | 8 | Jan 30, 2026 |
China Eastern
CES
/ MU
|
4 | 96 | 4 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Spring Airlines
CQH
/ 9C
|
2 | 64 | 2 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Air China
CCA
/ CA
|
1 | 44 | 1 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Sichuan Airlines
CSC
/ 3U
|
1 | 35 | 1 | Jan 15, 2026 |
Tianjin Airlines
GCR
/ GS
|
2 | 31 | 2 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Zhejiang Loong
CDC
/ GJ
|
1 | 15 | 1 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| 1 | 13 | 1 | Oct 12, 2025 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12/30 |
7218 ft | - ft | CON | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Taxis are readily available at a designated stand outside the airport's arrivals hall. The journey to the Altay city center is approximately 11-12 kilometers and typically takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Rental Cars
Car rental services are available, primarily from national Chinese providers. It is strongly recommended to book a vehicle in advance online. Note that foreign visitors need a valid Chinese driver's license to rent and drive a car, as an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not recognized in China.
Public Transportation
An airport shuttle bus service operates between the airport and various key locations in downtown Altay. The bus schedule is generally aligned with flight arrival and departure times, offering an economical way to travel to and from the city center.