Albert Lea Municipal (KAEL), Minnesota
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Albert Lea Municipal Airport (KAEL) is a public-use, non-towered field in south-central Minnesota, sitting at 1,261 feet elevation and serving general aviation and business traffic in the Albert Lea area. The airport handled 382 total annual operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 105 attributed to business aviation. Its longer runway, 17/35, provides 5,000 feet of paved surface capable of supporting a range of turboprop and light jet operations, while the shorter 05/23 runway serves smaller aircraft. There is no customs facility onsite; the nearest is KRST, roughly 40 nautical miles away.
Runways
Albert Lea Municipal has two paved runways. The longest, 17/35, is 5,000 ft long and 100 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Albert Lea Municipal has Jet A, 100LL and MOGAS available on the field. Fueling is available from 8am to 5pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Albert Lea Municipal does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Rochester International (KRST), 40 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Albert Lea Municipal recorded 105 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KAEL is concentrated in the fall months, with October seeing the highest monthly volume of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 18 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Albert Lea Municipal averages 3.4 days above 90°F in July, 30.9 freeze days in January and 3.6 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81.6°F, and January the coldest, at 22.5°F.
Weather station is 5.3 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Albert Lea Municipal has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
The ODALS approach lighting system is activated on Runway 17, along with REIL on Runway 17 and 35 and PAPI on Runway 17 and 35, all controlled via CTAF. Runway 17/35 has MIRL lighting, preset to low intensity from sunset to sunrise and adjustable to higher intensity via CTAF.
Gliders and helicopters use the turf area parallel to Runway 17/35 on the east side, as well as the approach area to Runway 23.
For clearance delivery, contact Rochester Approach.
Runway 05 has 5-foot brush located 79 feet from the runway end and 79 feet to the right of the runway.
There are multiple transitional obstructions along Runway 05 and Runway 35.
100LL and MOGAS fuel are available 24 hours a day via credit card self-service.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Albert Lea Municipal has five airfields within 32 NM. The closest is Austin Municipal (KAUM), 18.93 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KAEL
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at KAEL.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runways does KAEL offer for business aviation traffic?
Albert Lea Municipal Airport (KAEL) operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 17/35 is the primary strip at 5,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, suitable for most business aircraft. Runway 05/23 is shorter, at 2,898 feet long and 75 feet wide. Both runways are lit, with MIRL on 17/35 and REIL and PAPI available on select ends.
Is fuel available at Albert Lea Municipal Airport?
Albert Lea Municipal Airport, identifier KAEL, stocks 100LL, Jet A, and MOGAS. According to airport remarks, 100LL and MOGAS are available 24 hours through credit card self-service. The field itself is attended daily from 0800 to 1700 local time. Jet A availability outside attended hours is not specified in the self-service remark.
Does KAEL have customs clearance onsite?
KAEL, Albert Lea Municipal Airport, does not have onsite customs clearance. The nearest customs facility is at KRST, located approximately 40 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs processing should plan to route through that facility rather than clearing directly at Albert Lea.
What obstacles should pilots be aware of at Albert Lea Municipal Airport?
Albert Lea Municipal Airport reports close-in obstructions affecting Runway 05, with 5-foot brush located 79 feet from the runway end and 79 feet to the right. Additional remarks note multiple transitional obstructions along Runway 05 and Runway 35. Pilots operating on these runways should account for these documented obstacles during approach and departure planning.