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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Chiang Mai International Airport

Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province (Thailand)

IATA: CNX ICAO: VTCC

Longest Active Runway

11,155 ft

3,400 meters

Field Elevation

1,036 ft

316 m MSL

Runway Inventory

1 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

18.7668°, 98.9626°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#324 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#530 of 7558

Top 7.3% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Thailand)

#4 in TH

#4 of 43 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+11.6%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Chiang Mai International Airport's longest active runway measures 11,155 ft (3,400 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #324. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #530 worldwide (Top 7.3%) and #4 nationally in Thailand.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Chiang Mai International Airport sits in a lush valley 1,036 ft above sea level, just minutes from the historic provincial center. Its 10,171 ft asphalt runway accommodates direct widebody services from East Asia and heavy domestic shuttle flights from Bangkok. Pilots navigate mountain terrain rising sharply to the west of Runway 18/36, utilizing precision RNAV procedures to safely clear northern ridgelines.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Single paved Runway 18/36 (10,171 ft / 3,100 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Founded in 1921 as Suthep Airfield. Upgraded through consecutive phases to accommodate international widebodies; currently planning a second Chiang Mai airport in San Kamphaeng to relieve terminal saturation.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Northern Thailand's premier aviation gateway, situated 86 NM north of Phrae and 95 NM southwest of Chiang Rai Mae Fah Luang (CEI).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Surrounded by mountain ranges, requiring designated standard instrument departures (SIDs) and climb gradients to ensure obstacle clearance during departures to the north.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Thailand National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Chiang Mai International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 1,036 ft (316 m MSL) in Chiang Mai. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

1 Qualifying Aerodrome in Vicinity

Northern Thailand's premier aviation gateway, situated 86 NM north of Phrae and 95 NM southwest of Chiang Rai Mae Fah Luang (CEI). Within a 100 NM radius, the facility coordinates airspace flows with 1 qualifying commercial aerodromes, with Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) located 88.2 NM away.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 11,155 ft (3,400 m)

Chiang Mai International Airport's active flight strips comprise 18/36 (11,155 ft). With a longest active threshold of 11,155 ft (3,400 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
18/36	11,155 ft (3400m)	148 ft (45m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name	IATA	Distance	Longest Runway	Lighting
Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport (Chiang Rai)	`CEI`	88.2 NM (163.3 km)	9,843 ft	✅ Lighted

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/cnx.json ↗