Colonia Catriel Airport

Planned Replacement and Obsolescence. The old airport was closed because it was replaced by a new, modern facility located a few kilometers to the northeast. The primary reasons for the replacement were:
1. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** The old airstrip (AR-0742) was unpaved (dirt/gravel), making it unusable in adverse weather conditions and unsuitable for modern turboprop and jet aircraft.
2. **Lack of Safety and Navigational Aids:** It lacked proper lighting for night operations, modern navigation systems, and security fencing required for commercial traffic.
3. **Economic Growth:** The city of Catriel is a major hub for the oil and gas industry in the Neuquén Basin. A modern, paved airport was deemed essential to support the transportation of personnel and equipment for companies like YPF and others operating in the Vaca Muerta formation.

The site is abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery clearly shows the unpaved runway is still visible but is no longer maintained. It is overgrown with vegetation, and informal vehicle tracks can be seen crossing the former airstrip. The land has not been repurposed for any other significant use and remains as undeveloped, open land.

The Colonia Catriel Airport (AR-0742) was a vital logistical airstrip for the region's dominant oil and gas industry for several decades. Its primary function was to serve as a base for general aviation, air taxis, and corporate aircraft (primarily from the state oil company YPF and other energy firms). It facilitated the rapid transport of specialized personnel, engineers, and light cargo to and from the remote oil fields surrounding Catriel. While it never handled scheduled commercial passenger flights in the modern sense, it was a critical piece of infrastructure that enabled the development and operation of the local energy sector before it was superseded by a more capable facility.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening this old airport. It has been permanently and officially replaced by the new Catriel Airport (SA34/CCT), which is paved, fully equipped, and capable of handling the region's aviation needs. The old site is functionally and logistically obsolete.