Nonstop flight route between Atyrau, Kazakhstan and Sumter, South Carolina, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Atyrau International Airport (GUW), Atyrau, Kazakhstan and Shaw Air Force Base (SSC), Sumter, South Carolina, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 6,101 miles (or 9,818 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 Shaw Air Force Base, 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 Shaw Air Force Base. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• In addition to being known as "Atyrau International Airport", other names for GUW include "Атырау халықаралық әуежайы" and "Международный аэропорт Атырау".
• The closest airport to Atyrau International Airport (GUW) is Narimanovo Airport (ASF), which is located 190 miles (305 kilometers) WSW of GUW.
• It is the lowest commercial airport in the world at 22 m below sea level.

Facts about Shaw Air Force Base (SSC):

• The squadrons flew the P-61 Black Widow in Europe with Ninth Air Force during World War II, and were reassigned back to the United States after the end of hostilities.
• After the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military branch in September 1947, Shaw Army Airfield was renamed Shaw Air Force Base, on 13 January 1948 and the 20th Fighter-Bomber Wing was activated on 15 August 1947 with the implementation of the Hobson Plan.
• The closest airport to Shaw Air Force Base (SSC) is Sumter Airport (SUM), which is located only 7 miles (11 kilometers) ENE of SSC.
• With the closure of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base South Carolina and the inactivation of the 354th Fighter Wing, the 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated at Shaw and received 30 Republic A/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the inactivating 355th Fighter Squadron on 1 April 1992.
• It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is one of only two air bases in CONUS with an active railroad line.
• Flying activities at the field began on 22 October 1941 using Vultee BT-13 Valiants.
• The furthest airport from Shaw Air Force Base (SSC) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,545 miles (18,580 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
• On 1 April 1951, the 363d TRW was transferred to Shaw from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia The 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing would remain at Shaw, under various designations, for the next 43 years.