Pilon, CU 🇨🇺 Closed Airport
CU-0107
-
51 ft
CU-12
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 19.865882° N, -77.354575° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: MUPL
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The exact closure date is not officially documented. However, it is widely believed to have ceased operations in the early 1990s. Analysis of historical satellite imagery confirms the airport was already in a state of disuse by 2002. This timeframe aligns with the widespread shutdown of non-essential infrastructure across Cuba during the severe economic crisis known as the 'Special Period' (Período especial), which began in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The closure was primarily due to economic reasons. The 'Special Period' in Cuba led to a massive contraction of the economy, extreme fuel shortages, and a lack of funds to maintain a network of small, low-traffic airfields. To conserve scarce resources, the Cuban government consolidated domestic air services to larger, more economically viable regional airports. Pilon Airport's low traffic volume made it a prime candidate for closure, with its limited traffic being rerouted through the larger Sierra Maestra Airport (MZO) in Manzanillo.
The airport is completely abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery shows the single asphalt runway is heavily deteriorated, cracked, and partially overgrown, with no visible runway markings. The runway is now used informally as a local road or track for cars, trucks, and horse-drawn carts. There are no remaining airport buildings such as a terminal, control tower, or hangars, indicating it was a very basic facility even when active. The site has been effectively repurposed for local transit and possibly some minor agricultural use.
Pilon Airport was a small regional airfield that served the municipality of Pilón and the surrounding coastal and mountainous areas of Granma Province. Its main functions were:
1. **Tourism:** It provided direct air access for tourists visiting the Marea del Portillo resort area, a key tourist destination on Cuba's southeastern coast, and for those exploring the nearby Sierra Maestra mountains.
2. **General Aviation:** It handled domestic air taxi and charter flights, likely operated by state carriers such as Aerotaxi or Cubana de Aviación, using small propeller aircraft like the Antonov An-2.
3. **Local Connectivity:** It connected this relatively remote region with other parts of Cuba for administrative, medical, and agricultural purposes (such as crop dusting).
Overall, it played a modest but important role in the local economy before its closure.
There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Pilon Airport. The region's air transportation needs are currently met by Sierra Maestra Airport (MZO) in Manzanillo, which is approximately 70 km (about 43 miles) away by road and can handle larger jet aircraft. The significant investment required to completely rebuild the runway, taxiways, and construct modern terminal facilities is not considered economically justifiable given the limited potential demand and the existence of a larger, functional airport in the region.
This airport is totally closed for aviation business.