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AKH · medium airport

Prince Sultan Air Base

Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

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Airports
AKHmedium airport

Prince Sultan Air Base

Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
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OEPS
ICAO
1651 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Strategic U.S.-Saudi military air base in central Arabia.

Location
Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Prince Sultan Air Base is a major military installation located near Al Kharj, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It serves as a key facility for the Royal Saudi Air Force and has hosted significant United States Air Force operations over the decades. The base gained international prominence during the Gulf War in 1990–1991, when it served as a primary hub for U.S. and coalition air operations. American forces returned to the base in 2019 as part of a regional security buildup in response to tensions with Iran. The airport holds the IATA code AKH and ICAO code OEPS, though it functions primarily as a military installation with no regular commercial passenger service.
Getting to & from
The base is a restricted military installation with no public ground transport links to the general population.
Notable facts
  • ›Located approximately 80 km southeast of Riyadh near the city of Al Kharj.
  • ›Served as a major hub for U.S. and coalition air operations during the 1991 Gulf War.
  • ›U.S. military forces redeployed to the base in 2019 amid heightened regional tensions with Iran.
  • ›Operated primarily by the Royal Saudi Air Force with periodic foreign military presence.
  • ›No scheduled commercial airline operations are conducted at this facility.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.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 strategic desert air base serving central Saudi Arabia's military operations

Prince Sultan Air Base, located near Al Kharj approximately 80 kilometres southeast of Riyadh, is a major Royal Saudi Air Force installation with significant historical ties to U.S. military operations in the region. The base gained international prominence during the Gulf War era when it hosted coalition forces and has since remained a key strategic asset in Saudi Arabia's defence infrastructure. It primarily serves military and government aviation purposes rather than commercial passenger traffic.

Terminals
  • Military Operations Terminal — A restricted facility handling military and government aircraft with controlled access for authorised personnel only.
Ground Transport
  • Military shuttle services for authorised base personnel
  • Government vehicle transfers arranged through official channels
  • Private hire taxis from Al Kharj city centre
Nearby Hotels
  • Al Kharj local guesthouses
  • Riyadh hotels (80 km away) for non-base visitors
Dining

Dining facilities on base are restricted to authorised military and government personnel. Visitors and contractors accessing the Al Kharj area will find a limited selection of local Saudi restaurants and fast food outlets in Al Kharj city centre serving traditional fare.

Traveller Tips
  • Access to Prince Sultan Air Base is strictly restricted to military personnel, government officials, and authorised contractors — civilian entry is not permitted.
  • All visits must be coordinated well in advance through official Saudi military or government channels.
  • The nearest commercial airport for civilian travel is King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, approximately 80 km away.
  • Carry all required authorisation documents at all times when in the vicinity of the base.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Prince Sultan Air Base
Encyclopaedia

Prince Sultan Air Base is a military air base located in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia. It is named after former Saudi defense minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Read full article on Wikipedia

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