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

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Aktau International Airport (SCO), Aktau, Kazakhstan and Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 6,799 miles (or 10,942 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 Aktau 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 Aktau 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 Aktau International Airport (SCO):

• In November 1996 was established joint stock company "Aktau International Airport".
• The furthest airport from Aktau International Airport (SCO) is Totegegie Airport (GMR), which is located 10,962 miles (17,641 kilometers) away in Mangareva, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia.
• Because of Aktau International Airport's relatively low elevation of 72 feet, planes can take off or land at Aktau 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.
• Aktau International Airport (SCO) currently has only 1 runway.
• The closest airport to Aktau International Airport (SCO) is Makhachkala International Airport "Uytash" (MCX), which is located 187 miles (301 kilometers) WSW of SCO.
• In addition to being known as "Aktau International Airport", other names for SCO include "Ақтау халықаралық әуежайы" and "Международный аэропорт Актау".
• There are only a few international carriers, which are flying to Aktau.

Facts about Castle Airport (MER):

• The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of 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.
• Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
• Castle Air Museum is 500 yards away, displaying over 50 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft.
• 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.
• 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.