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Airport
Code	OERK
Name	Riyadh/King Khaled
Region	Middle East
Territory	Saudi Arabia
Location	Riyadh
Elevation	624.535217 m2,049 ft
Coordinates	24° 57' 28" N, 46° 41' 56" E
All Airports in OE	OEDF, OEDR, OEJN, OERK

Runways
Designator Length Width Surface 15L/33R 4205 m13,795.932 ft 60 m196.85 ft ASP 15R/33L 4205 m13,795.932 ft 60 m196.85 ft ASP

METAR
Observation	OERK 220700Z 01011KT 4000 DU SKC 34/06 Q1013 NOSIG
Station	King Khaled International Airport
Elevation	612 metres
Date/Time	22 May 2013 07:00:00
Wind direction	10°
Wind speed	11 kts
Clouds	n/a
Clouds code
Temperature	34°C
Dew point	6°C
Humidity	17%
QNH	1013 hPa
Weather condition	n/a

WX
Tag(s)	Fog Sand Storm

Riyadh/King Khaled International Airport

ICAO: OERK IATA: RUH

Description

International airport serving the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Climatology

Hot Desert Climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) - Hot desert climates are typically found in the subtropics where there is unbroken sunshine for the whole year due to the stable descending air and high pressure, little or no precipitation. Maximum temperatures of 40°C to 45°C are not uncommon, particularly during the warmer months of the year. During colder periods of the year, night-time temperatures can drop to freezing or below due to the exceptional radiation loss under the clear skies. However, very rarely do temperatures drop far below freezing.

Maps

Terrain

Airport Layout

Flight Safety Considerations

• Fog, is effectively surface cloud and has a significant impact on the conduct of flying operations particularly landing and take-off.

• Sand Storm, activity results in reduced visibility and the ingestion of sand and dust particles into engines, pitot static system, conditioning packs, causing blockage and corrosion.
• Strong northerly winds are common in Spring and may create dust storms which reduce visibility and contaminate aircraft.
• Early morning fog may be a hazard.

Accidents & Serious Incidents at or in vicinity of OERK

• L101, vicinity Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 1980 (AW HF FIRE) (On 19 August 1980, a Lockheed L1011 operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines took off from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - seven minutes later an aural warning indicated a smoke in the aft cargo compartment. Despite the successful landing all 301 persons on board perished due toxic fumes inhalation and uncontrolled fire.)
• MD11, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 2010 (RE HF FIRE) (On 27 July 2010, a Boeing MD11F being operated by Lufthansa Cargo on a scheduled flight from Frankfurt to Riyadh bounced twice prior to a third hard touchdown whilst attempting to land on 4205 metre-long Runway 33L at destination in normal day visibility. The fuselage was ruptured and, as the aircraft left the side of the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed and a fire began to take hold. A ‘MAYDAY’ call was made as the aircraft slid following the final touchdown. Once the aircraft had come to a stop, the two pilots evacuated before it was largely destroyed by fire. One pilot received minor injuries, the other injuries described as major.)

Forum

See discussion threads concerning this airport on the SKYbrary Before you Fly There... Forum:

• weather