Santiago Municipal Airport

The airport was closed due to its replacement by the new, larger, and more modern Cibao International Airport (ICAO: MDST, IATA: STI). The Santiago Municipal Airport had a relatively short runway and was located within the expanding city limits, which severely restricted its ability to expand or handle larger, modern jet aircraft. The opening of Cibao International Airport, located outside the city, provided the necessary infrastructure to accommodate growing international passenger and cargo traffic for the entire Cibao region, rendering the old municipal airport obsolete.

The former airport site has been completely redeveloped and repurposed into a major urban renewal project. The land is now home to the Parque Central de Santiago, a large public park featuring green spaces, walking and cycling paths, a lake, and recreational facilities. Additionally, a significant portion of the former airport grounds is occupied by the Gran Arena del Cibao Dr. Oscar Gobaira, a large indoor multi-purpose venue used for sporting events, concerts, and other major gatherings. The original airport infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, and terminal buildings, has been entirely removed to make way for these new developments.

For several decades, Santiago Municipal Airport was the primary air gateway to Santiago de los Caballeros and the entire Cibao Valley, the Dominican Republic's most important agricultural and industrial region. It was a vital hub for domestic air travel, connecting Santiago with the capital, Santo Domingo, and other parts of the country. The airport primarily handled general aviation, air taxi services, and scheduled domestic flights operated by local airlines such as Dominair. It played a crucial role in the economic development of the region by facilitating business travel and providing a faster alternative to ground transportation before the construction of modern highways.

There are zero prospects for reopening this airport. The land has been permanently and irreversibly repurposed for public and commercial use with the construction of the Parque Central and the Gran Arena del Cibao. The city's and region's aviation needs are fully and effectively served by the nearby Cibao International Airport (STI), which has superior facilities and capacity for future growth. Re-establishing an airport at the original site is physically impossible and economically unjustifiable.