Nonstop flight route between Atyrau, Kazakhstan and Atwater, California, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Atyrau International Airport (GUW), Atyrau, Kazakhstan and Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 6,579 miles (or 10,588 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 Atyrau International Airport and Castle 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 Atyrau International Airport and Castle 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 Atyrau International Airport (GUW):

• Atyrau International Airport (GUW) currently has only 1 runway.
• The closest airport to Atyrau International Airport (GUW) is Narimanovo Airport (ASF), which is located 190 miles (305 kilometers) WSW of GUW.
• In addition to being known as "Atyrau International Airport", other names for GUW include "Атырау халықаралық әуежайы" and "Международный аэропорт Атырау".
• The region is crucial for Kazakhstan's economy as it is very close to the oil exploration sites and the platforms on the Caspian Sea.
• Because of Atyrau International Airport's relatively low elevation of 0 feet, planes can take off or land at Atyrau 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.
• ATMA Atyrau Airport is an airport located 8 km northwest of Atyrau, Kazakhstan.
• The furthest airport from Atyrau International Airport (GUW) is Totegegie Airport (GMR), which is located 10,735 miles (17,276 kilometers) away in Mangareva, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia.

Facts about Castle Airport (MER):

• 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.
• Since the mid-1940s, aircraft maintenance, fuel management, and fire training activities on the base have generated wastes that consist primarily of waste fuels, oils, solvents, and cleaners.
• 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.
• The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
• Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
• 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.