Planeta Rica Airport

Planeta Rica, CO 🇨🇴 Closed Airport

ICAO

CO-0492

IATA

-

Elevation

280 ft

Region

CO-COR

Local Time

Loading...

Loading...

Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 8.398853° N, -75.577379° E

Continent: SA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: PLC PLC SK-204

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Nearby Points of Interest

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Loading weather data...


Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 25, 2025
Closure Date

Approximately late 1970s to early 1980s. A precise date is not officially documented, as the closure was a gradual process where commercial flights were phased out and redirected to a larger regional airport.

Reason for Closure

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 MonterĂ­a, the capital of the CĂłrdoba 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.

Current Status

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 OlĂ­mpica', 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.

Historical Significance

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.

Reopening Prospects

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 MonterĂ­a.

Nearby Airports

Mondo Nuevo Airport
CO-0055
Mondo Nuevo, CO
Small Airport
~24 km away
Ayapel Airport
AYA • SK-198
Ayapel, CO
Small Airport
~48 km away
El Cebruno Airport
SK-200
Ayapel, CO
Small Airport
~50 km away
Montelibano Airport
MTB • SKML
MontelĂ­bano, CO
Small Airport
~50 km away
San Marcos Airport
SK-396
San Marcos, CO
Small Airport
~53 km away
Los Garzones Airport
MTR • SKMR
MonterĂ­a, CO
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~54 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

User Comments

No comments for this airport yet.

Leave a comment