Purdue University Airport (KLAF), Indiana
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Purdue University Airport (KLAF) is a towered, public-use field in Lafayette, Indiana, serving as a business aviation hub tied to the university and the surrounding metro area roughly 52.5 nautical miles from Indianapolis. The airport handled 8,814 total operations in 2025, with business aviation accounting for the majority at 5,062 operations, according to FAA TFMSC data. Two paved runways, including a 6,600-foot primary strip, support a range of turbine and piston traffic, with both 100LL and Jet A fuel available on the field.
Runways
Purdue University Airport has two paved runways. The longest, 10/28, is 6,600 ft long and 150 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
Purdue University Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 8am to 5pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Purdue University Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Indianapolis International (KIND), 51 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Purdue University Airport recorded 5,062 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May, June and July. Business aviation traffic at KLAF concentrates in the spring and summer months, peaking in July, while volumes drop noticeably in August and again in December.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 521 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Purdue University Airport averages 6.6 days above 90°F in July and 26.6 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83.8°F, and January the coldest, at 33.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Purdue University Airport has published operating constraints in four categories: runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
When the airport traffic control tower is closed, the MALSR on runway 10 is pilot-activated, along with the REIL on runways 5, 23, and 28, the MIRL on runway 5/23, and the HIRL on runway 10/28, via CTAF.
Runway 05/23 is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 30 passenger seats. Aircraft with a wingspan greater than 79 feet are not authorized on this runway.
The PAPI is unusable beyond 9 degrees right of the runway centerline.
A 20:1 obstruction clearance slope applies at the displaced threshold.
Training operations and bird activity are reported in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 80/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 470/F/D/X/T
Surface conditions are unmonitored between 2200 and 0600 local time and on weekends.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the flight service station frequency, contact Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Purdue University Airport has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Delphi Municipal, 13.99 NM northeast.
Part of the Indianapolis area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KLAF
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.
$2,400.00 catering order at KLAF.
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 are available at KLAF?
Purdue University Airport (KLAF) operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 10/28 is the primary strip at 6,600 feet long and 150 feet wide, suitable for most business jet traffic. Runway 05/23 measures 4,225 feet by 100 feet and carries restrictions for scheduled and non-scheduled passenger operations above certain seat thresholds, and it is not available to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 79 feet. Dispatchers planning larger equipment should default to runway 10/28.
Is there a wingspan or passenger seat restriction at KLAF?
Yes, runway 05/23 at Purdue University Airport carries specific limits. It is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled passenger operations carrying more than nine passenger seats, nor for non-scheduled passenger operations carrying more than thirty passenger seats. Aircraft with a wingspan greater than 79 feet cannot use this runway. Runway 10/28, at 6,600 feet by 150 feet, does not carry these same restrictions and is the runway typically used by larger business aircraft operating into KLAF.
Does KLAF have customs clearance onsite?
Purdue University Airport does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs facility is at Indianapolis International Airport (KIND), located approximately 51.11 nautical miles away. Crews arriving from international origins into KLAF need to route their clearance planning through KIND rather than expecting service on the field. This distance should factor into fuel and routing plans for any flight requiring customs on arrival.
What fuel is available at KLAF?
Purdue University Airport stocks both 100LL avgas and Jet A fuel. The field is towered and operates on an attendance schedule of Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1700 local time. Dispatchers should plan arrivals around this window when fuel service or field support is required, since coverage outside these hours is not confirmed by the published schedule. KLAF's fuel offering supports both piston and turbine business aviation traffic.
How busy is business aviation traffic at KLAF, and does it vary by season?
Purdue University Airport recorded 5,062 business aviation operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, out of 8,814 total annual operations. Traffic is not evenly spread across the year: monthly bizav operations peak in the summer months, reaching 521 in July, and drop to a low of 303 in December. August shows a notable dip to 324 operations compared to the surrounding summer months. Dispatchers scheduling around KLAF should expect higher volumes in the spring and early summer period.