Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF), Kentucky
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF) serves the Louisville metro area with a three-runway concrete airfield, the longest stretching nearly 12,000 feet, and is best known as the operating base for a major cargo carrier's national hub. On-site CBP inspection services and a USDA compliance agreement support both cargo and general aviation international arrivals. The airport sits within a cluster of regional fields, including Bowman Field roughly five nautical miles to the northeast, giving operators nearby alternates for smaller aircraft.
Runways
Louisville Muhammad Ali International has three paved runways. The longest, 17R/35L, is 11,887 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Louisville Muhammad Ali International has Jet A, Jet A+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Louisville Muhammad Ali International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Louisville Muhammad Ali International recorded 12,276 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May. Business aviation traffic at KSDF concentrates around May and October, with both months showing noticeably higher operations counts than the rest of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 1,484 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Louisville Muhammad Ali International averages 14.3 days above 90°F in July, 21.3 freeze days in January and 1.5 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 89.0°F, and January the coldest, at 43.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Louisville Muhammad Ali International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, environmental, construction, pavement strength and other notes.
Air National Guard duty hours are 1200-2000Z (1300-2100Z daylight time) Monday through Thursday, and 1200-1800Z (1300-1900Z daylight time) on Friday. Approval authority is the 123rd Airlift Wing Office of General Counsel. Contact Base Operations for coordination. Engine start and taxi clearance are handled by Derby Operations.
Aircraft with a tail height of 65 feet or greater require prior permission, requested 24 hours in advance.
Air National Guard aircraft in FAA Group 6 require prior permission, requested 24 hours in advance.
Standard departure points are at Taxiway B8 and Taxiway A8. These require use of the Runway 17R extension. Takeoff from Taxiway B8 provides an ASDA/TORA/TODA of 10,245 feet.
Standard departure points are at Taxiway A and Taxiway B. These require use of the Runway 35L extension. Takeoff from Taxiway A and Taxiway B provides an ASDA/TORA/TODA of 10,250 feet.
A line up and wait waiver is in effect from sunset to sunrise at the intersection of Runway 17R at Taxiway B8 or Taxiway A8, and at the intersection of Runway 35L at Taxiway A or Taxiway B.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Military: caution advised for Bird Avoidance Model information. Phase I covers November 1 through February 28 and May 1 through August 31. Phase II covers September 1 through October 31 and March 1 through April 30.
Caution: construction is in progress. Frequent runway and taxiway closures are possible.
PCR VALUE: 720/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 970/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 770/R/A/W/T
A departure from the Taxiway E intersection has 7,700 feet available.
A departure from the Taxiway E2 intersection has 6,300 feet available.
Air National Guard 123rd Tactical unit conducts reconnaissance operations.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Louisville Muhammad Ali International has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Bowman Field (KLOU), 4.72 NM northeast.
Part of the Kentucky area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSDF
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 KSDF.
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 is the runway length available at KSDF?
Louisville Muhammad Ali International, KSDF, operates three paved concrete runways. The longest is 17R/35L at 11,887 feet, followed by 17L/35R at 8,578 feet, and 11/29 at 7,251 feet. All three runways carry a width of 150 feet. The primary runway's length and pavement classification make KSDF suitable for heavy long-haul aircraft. Dispatchers planning cargo or large business jet movements should reference the specific runway extension procedures noted in the airport's operational remarks.
Does KSDF have on-site customs clearance?
KSDF, Louisville Muhammad Ali International, has customs services on site, with CBP inspection available along with a USDA compliance agreement. This combination supports agricultural and general cargo clearance without requiring diversion to another port of entry. Operators arriving from international origins can plan clearance directly at the field rather than routing through a nearby customs airport. The USDA compliance agreement is a relevant detail for cargo operators carrying products subject to agricultural inspection.
What is the business aviation traffic level at Louisville Muhammad Ali International?
Louisville Muhammad Ali International recorded 12,276 business aviation operations in 2025 out of 185,400 total annual operations, according to FAA TFMSC data. This places the airport at Skystar's tier 1 classification, reflecting a high volume of tracked activity. Monthly business aviation counts ranged from a low of 797 operations in January to a peak of 1,484 in May. October also saw elevated activity at 1,313 operations. Dispatchers should account for this uneven monthly distribution when planning slot or ramp availability at KSDF.
Are there construction-related restrictions at KSDF right now?
Airport remarks for KSDF, Louisville Muhammad Ali International, warn of construction in progress with frequent runway and taxiway closures possible. This caution is listed as a general operational remark and applies broadly across the airfield rather than to one specific runway. Crews should verify current NOTAMs before filing, since closures tied to this construction activity can affect taxi routing and runway availability without long-term predictability. The remark does not specify an end date or affected runway, so current NOTAM review remains necessary.
What departure procedures apply from intersection points at KSDF?
KSDF, Louisville Muhammad Ali International, publishes several standard intersection departure points tied to specific runway extensions. A departure from Taxiway E intersection allows 7,700 feet of runway distance, while a departure from Taxiway E2 intersection allows 6,300 feet. Standard departure points at Taxiway B8 and Taxiway A8 require use of the Runway 17R extension, giving an ASDA / TORA / TODA of 10,245 feet. Standard departure points at Taxiway A and Taxiway B require use of the Runway 35L extension, giving an ASDA / TORA / TODA of 10,250 feet. Dispatchers should match takeoff performance calculations to the correct intersection and extension combination.