Chillan, CL 🇨🇱 Closed Airport
CL-0025
-
459 ft
CL-NB
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -36.613271° N, -72.041323° E
Continent: SA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: SCAV
La Vertiente Airport (CL-0025) near Chillán, Chile, is no longer an operational airport. According to available information, the airport was a public use airport but has since been closed. Historical satellite imagery from as early as 2013 showed its runway under cultivation, and by 2017, it appeared plowed and cultivated, indicating it is no longer in use for aviation. Consequently, there are no recent traveler reviews or experiences to summarize for this facility.
Therefore, the request for traveler sentiment, terminal facilities, security wait times, and transportation connections for La Vertiente Airport cannot be fulfilled as it is not an active airport. Travelers looking to reach Chillán typically use larger airports such as Carriel Sur Airport (CCP) in Concepción or Santiago International Airport (SCL), and then connect to Chillán via bus, train, or private shuttle.
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10/28 |
2362 ft | 66 ft | GRASS | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Approximately 1967-1968. The closure was a gradual process that coincided with the full operational launch of the new General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport (SCCH).
The primary reason for closure was urban encroachment and the need for a more modern facility. As the city of Chillán grew, the airport, which was once on the outskirts, became surrounded by residential areas, posing a safety risk and limiting its potential for runway extension or facility upgrades. It was replaced by the larger, better-equipped General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport, built further from the city center to handle larger aircraft and increased traffic.
The site of the former La Vertiente Airport has been completely redeveloped. It is now a residential neighborhood integrated into the urban fabric of Chillán. The land was repurposed for housing and public infrastructure. The original runway and airport facilities no longer exist, having been replaced by streets, homes, and parks. The area's aviation past is commemorated by a major street built on the former airport grounds, which is named 'Avenida Aeropuerto' (Airport Avenue).
La Vertiente was the original and principal airport for Chillán and the Ñuble Region for several decades. It was the city's first major link to Chile's national air network, playing a vital role in regional connectivity and economic development. The airport handled early commercial passenger and cargo flights, most notably from the national airline LAN-Chile (now LATAM), which operated routes using aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3. It also served as the home base for the Club Aéreo de Chillán (Chillán Air Club) and supported general aviation, air taxi services, and government flights.
Zero. There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been irreversibly converted into a dense urban area, making any return to aviation use impossible. All of Chillán's current and future aviation needs are served by the General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport (ICAO: SCCH).