Nonstop flight route between Atwater, California, United States and Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia:
Departure Airport:
(37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W)
Arrival Airport:
(25°11'9"S by 130°58'32"E)
Distance from MER to AYQ:
8,227.53 miles (13,240.89 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- MER Airport Information
- AYQ Airport Information
- Facts about MER
- Facts about AYQ
- Map of Nearest Airports to MER
- List of Nearest Airports to MER
- Map of Furthest Airports from MER
- List of Furthest Airports from MER
- Map of Nearest Airports to AYQ
- List of Nearest Airports to AYQ
- Map of Furthest Airports from AYQ
- List of Furthest Airports from AYQ
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ), Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,228 miles (or 13,241 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 Ayers Rock 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 Ayers Rock Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | MER / KMER |
| Airport Name: | Castle Airport |
| Location: | Atwater, California, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 191 feet (58 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from MER |
| More Information: | MER Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | AYQ / YAYE |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia |
| GPS Coordinates: | 25°11'9"S by 130°58'32"E |
| Operator/Owner: | Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Pty Ltd |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 1626 feet (496 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from AYQ |
| More Information: | AYQ Maps & Info |
Facts about Castle Airport (MER):
- 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.
- The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
- 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 furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
- 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.
- Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
Facts about Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ):
- Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) currently has only 1 runway.
- The closest airport to Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) is Alice Springs Airport (ASP), which is located 207 miles (333 kilometers) ENE of AYQ.
- The furthest airport from Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) is Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ), which is located 11,463 miles (18,448 kilometers) away in Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda.
- In addition, there are a wide number of scenic flights that are offered by different private charters.
- On 6 August 2000, an Ansett Airbus A320-211, arrived from Auckland Airport, New Zealand, carrying the Sydney Olympic Torch for its inaugural Australian leg.
- Connellan Airport was originally started by Edward Connellan.
- Ayers Rock Airport handled 309,089 passengers last year.
- In addition to being known as "Ayers Rock Airport", other names for AYQ include "Connellan Airport" and "Ayers Rock/Connellan Airport".
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 7.26 miles (11.68 km) SSE | Merced Regional Airport (MCE) | Merced, California, United States |     |
| 2 | 27.12 miles (43.65 km) NW | Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) | Modesto, California, United States | |
| 3 | 27.51 miles (44.27 km) SW | Los Banos Municipal Airport (LSN) | Los Banos, California, United States | |
| 4 | 29.78 miles (47.92 km) W | NASA Crows Landing Airport (NRC) | Crows Landing, California, United States | |
| 5 | 36.91 miles (59.40 km) SE | Madera Municipal Airport (MAE) | Madera, California, United States | |
| 6 | 45.69 miles (73.53 km) N | Columbia Airport (COA) | Columbia, California, United States | |
| 7 | 51.03 miles (82.13 km) NW | Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) | Stockton, California, United States | |
| 8 | 57.32 miles (92.24 km) SW | Hollister Municipal Airport (HLI) | Hollister, California, United States | |
| 9 | 60.88 miles (97.98 km) SE | Fresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old) (FCH) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 10 | 62.71 miles (100.91 km) SE | Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 11 | 68.82 miles (110.76 km) W | Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 12 | 71.93 miles (115.77 km) WNW | Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) | Livermore, California, United States | |
| 13 | 73.96 miles (119.02 km) WSW | Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) | Watsonville, California, United States | |
| 14 | 74.75 miles (120.29 km) W | Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 15 | 75.76 miles (121.93 km) SW | Salinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base (SNS) | Salinas, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,311.72 miles (18,204.41 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 11,301.64 miles (18,188.18 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,273.49 miles (18,142.87 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 4 | 11,260.93 miles (18,122.66 km) S | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 5 | 11,205.02 miles (18,032.69 km) SE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,196.39 miles (18,018.79 km) SSW | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 7 | 11,137.28 miles (17,923.67 km) SSE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 11,111.96 miles (17,882.92 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 11,011.03 miles (17,720.49 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 11,008.37 miles (17,716.22 km) SE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 10,993.21 miles (17,691.82 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,972.89 miles (17,659.11 km) SSE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,963.56 miles (17,644.10 km) SSE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,945.21 miles (17,614.56 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,920.84 miles (17,575.35 km) SE | Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport (BMD) | Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 207.21 miles (333.47 km) ENE | Alice Springs Airport (ASP) | Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia | |
| 2 | 245.86 miles (395.67 km) ENE | Cowra Airport (CWT) | Cowra, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 3 | 352.06 miles (566.58 km) SE | Coober Pedy Airport (CPD) | Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 397.19 miles (639.21 km) NNW | Balgo Hill Airport (BQW) | Balgo Hill, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 410.90 miles (661.27 km) NNW | Lake Gregory Airport (LGE) | Lake Gregory, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 427.68 miles (688.29 km) SSW | Forrest Airport (FOS) | Forrest, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 507.58 miles (816.87 km) SSE | Ceduna Airport (CED) | Ceduna, South Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 522.73 miles (841.25 km) SE | Andamooka Airport (ADO) | Andamooka, South Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 524.13 miles (843.51 km) E | Birdsville Airport (BVI) | Birdsville, Queensland, Australia | |
| 10 | 525.06 miles (845.00 km) NNW | Halls Creek Airport (HCQ) | Halls Creek, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 535.36 miles (861.58 km) E | Bedourie Airport (BEU) | Bedourie, Queensland, Australia | |
| 12 | 535.87 miles (862.40 km) N | Kalkgurung Airport (KFG) | Daguragu / Kalkaringi, Northern Territory, Australia | |
| 13 | 553.56 miles (890.87 km) NNW | Springvale Airport (ZVG) | Springvale, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 565.04 miles (909.34 km) SSE | Streaky Bay Airport (KBY) | Streaky Bay, South Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 577.48 miles (929.37 km) WSW | Laverton Airport (LVO) | Laverton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,462.88 miles (18,447.67 km) ENE | Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ) | Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| 2 | 11,444.72 miles (18,418.44 km) ENE | V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU) | St. John's, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| 3 | 11,421.69 miles (18,381.39 km) NE | Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP) | Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe | |
| 4 | 11,417.10 miles (18,373.99 km) ENE | Gustaf III Airport Saint Barthélemy Airport St. Jean Airport (SBH) | Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Barthélemy | |
| 5 | 11,416.02 miles (18,372.26 km) ENE | Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) | The Valley, Anguilla | |
| 6 | 11,412.68 miles (18,366.88 km) ENE | L'Espérance Airport Grand Case Airport (CCE) | Saint Martin, Guadeloupe | |
| 7 | 11,409.27 miles (18,361.39 km) ENE | John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) | Montserrat, British Overseas Territories, United Kingdom | |
| 8 | 11,407.14 miles (18,357.97 km) ENE | Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) | Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
| 9 | 11,404.59 miles (18,353.87 km) ENE | Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV) | Nevis, Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| 10 | 11,401.70 miles (18,349.22 km) ENE | Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) | Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| 11 | 11,401.17 miles (18,348.36 km) NE | Les Saintes Airport (LSS) | Terre-de-Haut Island, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe | |
| 12 | 11,400.75 miles (18,347.68 km) NE | Melville Hall Airport (DOM) | Melville Hall (near Roseau), Dominica | |
| 13 | 11,394.43 miles (18,337.51 km) ENE | F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) | Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands | |
| 14 | 11,386.60 miles (18,324.91 km) ENE | Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) | Saba, Caribbean Netherlands | |
| 15 | 11,386.45 miles (18,324.66 km) NE | Canefield Airport (DCF) | Canefield, Dominica | |