Nonstop flight route between Atwater, California, United States and Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives would travel a Great Circle distance of 9,262 miles (or 14,905 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Castle Airport and Hanimaadhoo International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Castle Airport and Hanimaadhoo International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Castle Airport (MER):

• With its central location in the San Joaquin Valley, on the route of the proposed California High-Speed Rail system, and with a large, underdeveloped site, Castle Airport has been submitted as a possible location for the central maintenance facility for the system.
• In 2004, recommendations were made to relocate the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard and its associated HC-130, MC-130 and HH-60 aircraft from Moffett Federal Airfield to the former Castle Air Force Base, now Castle Airport.
• It was estimated that the cost to relocate the 129 RQW to Castle, to include associated military construction costs, could be recouped in seven years.
• The furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
• Because of Castle Airport's relatively low elevation of 191 feet, planes can take off or land at Castle Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• The airport is located at the former Castle Air Force Base which closed in 1995.
• Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
• The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
• Castle Air Museum is 500 yards away, displaying over 50 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft.

Facts about Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ):

• The furthest airport from Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) is Seymour Airport (GPS), which is located 11,215 miles (18,049 kilometers) away in Baltra Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) currently has only 1 runway.
• Because of Hanimaadhoo International Airport's relatively low elevation of 3 feet, planes can take off or land at Hanimaadhoo International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• The closest airport to Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) is Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE), which is located 178 miles (287 kilometers) S of HAQ.
• In addition to being known as "Hanimaadhoo International Airport", another name for HAQ is "ހަނިމާދޫ ބައިނަލްއަޤުވާމީ ވައިގެ ބަނދަރު".