Payam International Airport — Karaj, Iran

Payam International Airport, coded PYK, lies west of Tehran near the city of Karaj and functions primarily as a cargo and overflow facility supporting Iran's congested capital region. Rather than competing directly with Tehran's main passenger gateways, PYK has carved out a role handling air freight, charter flights, and general aviation traffic that benefits from comparatively open airspace and lower congestion. The airport sits within view of the Alborz mountain range, which frames the Tehran-Karaj corridor and separates it from the Caspian coast to the north. Karaj itself has grown into one of Iran's largest cities, absorbing much of Tehran's industrial and residential overflow, and PYK's cargo operations reflect that expanding manufacturing base. Its runway is long enough to accommodate large freighter aircraft, reinforcing its niche as a logistics-oriented airport rather than a major hub for scheduled passenger travel within Iran's tightly regulated aviation sector.