Planeta Rica Airport

Economic and infrastructural obsolescence. The primary reason for the closure of Planeta Rica Airport was the development and expansion of the nearby Los Garzones Airport (SKMR / MTR) in Montería, the capital of the Córdoba department. Los Garzones was upgraded to handle larger, faster aircraft (such as the DC-9 and Fokker 50) and consolidate regional air traffic into a single, more efficient hub. The improvement of the national road network also diminished the necessity for a small, local airfield in Planeta Rica.

The former airport site has been completely redeveloped and is now an integral part of the urban landscape of Planeta Rica. The land is primarily occupied by the 'Villa Olímpica', the town's main sports and recreation complex, which includes a football stadium, a coliseum, and various sports courts. Additionally, residential neighborhoods, including one named 'Barrio El Aeropuerto' (The Airport Neighborhood), have been built over the former grounds. While the faint outline of the north-south runway can still be discerned in satellite imagery, it is now bisected by streets and covered by buildings and public facilities.

During its operational years (roughly from the 1940s to the 1970s), the airport was a vital link for the agricultural and cattle-ranching economy of Planeta Rica and the San Jorge river basin. It provided essential connectivity to major Colombian cities like Medellín and Bogotá at a time when road travel was slow and difficult. The airport was a regular stop for prominent national airlines of the era, including Avianca and SAM (Sociedad Aeronáutica de Medellín), which operated iconic propeller aircraft like the Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 on these routes. It played a crucial role in the region's economic and social development.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been irreversibly repurposed for significant urban development, including critical public infrastructure like the municipal sports complex and dense residential housing. Reopening would require the demolition of a substantial part of the town, making it physically and economically infeasible. The region's air transport needs are fully served by Los Garzones Airport in Montería.