Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ)
Albuquerque, United States · North America
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
KABQ
IATA
ABQ
City
Albuquerque
Country
United States
Region
North America
Elevation
5,355 ft
Runways
3 runways
Coordinates
35.0402, -106.6091
Overview
High desert airport with excellent VFR weather and density altitude training essential at this elevation.
Current Weather at KABQ
Pilots flying into or out of Albuquerque International Sunport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
Live conditions
Current METAR
METAR KABQ 210052Z 22006KT 10SM FEW100 BKN150 BKN250 26/M05 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP062 VIRGA S T02611050 $Wind 220° at 6 kt — likely active runway near heading 22
Current TAF
TAF KABQ 202340Z 2100/2124 20011KT P6SM FEW100 BKN200 FM210200 12011KT P6SM FEW100 BKN200 TEMPO 2102/2106 12014G24KT FM210600 10015G25KT P6SM FEW100 SCT200 FM210900 09009KT P6SM SCT200 FM211200 VRB06KT P6SM SCT200 FM211900 22011G21KT P6SM SCT200Decode METAR for KABQ
Paste the KABQ METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.
Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Albuquerque International Sunport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for KABQ. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for KABQ. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Albuquerque. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Albuquerque International Sunport.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at Albuquerque International Sunport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like KABQ include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near Albuquerque and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Albuquerque.
Training Availability
Flight Training Available
Albuquerque International Sunport has flight schools and training programs operating on the field or nearby. Browse flight schools
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