Sulaymaniyah International Airport

ORSU / ISU

Sulaymaniyah, IQ

Last Updated
Mar 4, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 18 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -12°C
11 kt
240°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR ORSU 041100Z 24011KT 210V270 CAVOK 14/M12 Q1016

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF ORSU 040500Z 0406/0506 VRB02KT CAVOK BECMG 0409/0411 26012KT 9999 SCT050 BECMG 0419/0421 32008KT 9999 BKN040 BKN060 TEMPO 0500/0506 7000 -RA
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:17Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 2 kt
Visibility: >10km
19:00Z BECMG
+8h
VFR 320° 8 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 4,000 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
RSU
13
31 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 13/31
Active: 31
11,481 ft 148 ft CON 132°
3.8 kt 10.3 kt
70° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - ORSU

4,240 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
71.2%
MVFR
17.1%
IFR
7.6%
LIFR
4%

Sulaymaniyah International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 71.2% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 6.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 67 knots. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, March, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 6.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 67 kt
Calm Winds: 2.8%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.7%
NE
7.2%
E
6.7%
SE
18.5%
S
7.2%
SW
5.3%
W
18.2%
NW
26.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.4°C
Range: -7°C to 38°C
-7°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 6.1%

Best Months for VFR

October March September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt

Statistics computed from 4,240 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Sulaymaniyah International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: ORSU
IATA Code: ISU
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,494 ft MSL

Location

City: Sulaymaniyah
Country: IQ
Latitude: 35.561749°
Longitude: 45.316738°
Time Zone: Europe/Moscow

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 11,481 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Sulaymaniyah International Airport

Overview

Sulaymaniyah International Airport serves the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, located at an elevation of 2,494 feet MSL. The airport supports regional and international air traffic, with a substantial runway measuring 11,481 feet in length. Its strategic positioning in the mountainous terrain of northern Iraq makes it a critical transportation hub for the area.

Flying Conditions

Flight conditions at ORSU are predominantly VFR, with 73.2% of observations indicating visual flight rules. The airport experiences significant wind variations, with a prevailing northwest wind at 315° and average speeds of 7 knots, occasionally reaching up to 67 knots. Temperature ranges from -7°C to 38°C, with an average of 13.5°C, presenting potential thermal considerations for flight operations.

Notable Features

The airport's high elevation and regional terrain suggest potential challenges with wind shear and mountain wave effects. Crosswind components on the 13/31 runway average 3.6 knots, with 100% wind favorability. October, September, and November offer the most consistent VFR conditions, making these months optimal for flight planning.

Approach Considerations

Runway 13/31 provides excellent wind alignment, with prevailing winds closely matching the runway heading. Pilots should anticipate minimal fog (8% occurrence) and consistently good visibility averaging 10 statute miles. The long 11,481-foot concrete runway offers substantial landing and takeoff capabilities for various aircraft types.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.