Merlo Airport

Replacement by a new, larger airport. The old Merlo Aerodrome (AR-0004) was a small airfield with limited capacity. To boost tourism and accommodate larger commercial aircraft, the new Valle del Conlara International Airport (IATA: RLO, ICAO: SAOS) was constructed approximately 20 km away and inaugurated in December 2001. The opening of this modern facility made the old aerodrome obsolete, leading to its immediate closure.

The site has been decommissioned and partially redeveloped. The former runway is still visible on satellite imagery, but the land has been integrated into the city's urban plan. The main bus terminal for Villa de Merlo ('Terminal de Ómnibus de Villa de Merlo') has been constructed on the southern portion of the former airport grounds. Other parts of the land have been repurposed for new streets and urban development, while some sections of the old runway remain as open space or are used for local vehicle traffic and occasional events.

For decades, the Merlo Aerodrome was the primary air gateway to the popular tourist destination of Villa de Merlo. It was a vital piece of infrastructure for the region's initial tourism development. The airport primarily handled general aviation, private aircraft, air taxi services, and operations of the local flying club (Aeroclub). Its single, relatively short runway was insufficient for the jet airliners required to support the growing demand for tourism in the area, which necessitated its replacement.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Merlo Airport (AR-0004). The region's aviation needs are fully and more effectively met by the nearby Valle del Conlara International Airport. The land of the former airport is valuable real estate that is being actively repurposed for urban expansion, making a return to aviation operations unfeasible and unnecessary.