AEL · small airport

Albert Lea Municipal Airport

Albert Lea, United States

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AELsmall airport

Albert Lea Municipal Airport

Albert Lea, United States

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KAEL

ICAO

1260 ft

Elevation

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General aviation gateway serving southern Minnesota's Albert Lea.

Location

Albert Lea, United States

Albert Lea Municipal Airport (IATA: AEL, ICAO: KAEL) is a public-use general aviation airport located in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States. It serves the local community and surrounding region primarily for private, charter, and recreational flying rather than scheduled commercial airline service. The airport is owned by the City of Albert Lea and operates as a single-runway facility supporting light aircraft operations. It provides essential aviation infrastructure for the region, including fuel services and tie-down facilities for transient aircraft. Albert Lea is situated near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 90 in southern Minnesota, making the airport accessible to travelers from across the region. Larger commercial air travel needs are typically served by Rochester International Airport or Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

Terminals

The airport has no commercial passenger terminal; it operates a fixed-base operator (FBO) facility serving general aviation users.

Getting to & from

The airport is accessible by car via nearby Interstate 35 and Interstate 90, with no dedicated public transit service to the facility.

Airlines here

No scheduled commercial airlines operate at Albert Lea Municipal Airport.

Notable facts

›The airport is owned and operated by the City of Albert Lea, Minnesota.
›It serves primarily general aviation traffic including private and recreational aircraft.
›The airport carries the IATA code AEL, though it handles no scheduled commercial flights.
›Nearest major commercial airports are Rochester International Airport and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
›Albert Lea is located in Freeborn County in southern Minnesota near major interstate highways.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

A quiet gateway to Minnesota's lake-dotted southern heartland

Albert Lea Municipal Airport is a small general aviation facility serving Albert Lea, Minnesota, situated in the southern part of the state near the Iowa border. The airport supports private pilots, charter operations, and agricultural aviation rather than scheduled commercial service. It plays a modest but practical role in connecting rural Freeborn County to the broader regional aviation network.

Terminals

General Aviation Terminal — A single modest facility handling private and charter aircraft arrivals and departures.

Ground Transport

Personal vehicle or prearranged pickup
Local taxi services from Albert Lea
Rental cars available in Albert Lea city center
Ride-hailing apps with limited local availability

Nearby Hotels

AmericInn by Wyndham Albert Lea
Holiday Inn Express Albert Lea
Country Inn & Suites Albert Lea
Super 8 by Wyndham Albert Lea

Dining

The airport itself offers no dedicated dining facilities given its general aviation status. Albert Lea's downtown area, roughly a short drive away, provides diners with local restaurants, cafes, and chain options to suit most tastes.

Traveller Tips

Confirm fuel and service availability in advance as staffing may be limited on weekends.
File your flight plan early — the surrounding airspace includes several small regional fields.
Arrange ground transportation before arrival as on-demand options are scarce at the airport.
Check weather carefully; southern Minnesota experiences significant seasonal weather variability including winter ice and summer storms.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

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