Tinerkouk Airstrip

The closure was almost certainly due to economic reasons and obsolescence. Airstrips of this type are typically built for a specific purpose, most commonly to support oil and gas exploration or a large-scale construction project. Once the project that necessitated its existence was completed, there was no economic justification to continue the costly maintenance of a remote desert runway. Operations were likely consolidated at larger, better-equipped, and paved regional airports such as Timimoun Airport (DAUT/TMX), located approximately 170 km to the southeast.

The site is completely abandoned and derelict. Current satellite imagery shows the faint outline of a single, unpaved runway that is heavily eroded and blending back into the surrounding desert landscape. There are no remaining buildings, hangars, or any other aviation infrastructure on the site. The airstrip is unusable for any type of aircraft and the land has reverted to its natural state.

Tinerkouk Airstrip was a rudimentary, unpaved desert landing strip. Its historical significance lies in its role as a logistical support hub for activities in an extremely remote part of the Sahara Desert. Its primary function was likely to facilitate the movement of personnel, light cargo, and emergency supplies for hydrocarbon exploration companies operating in the region. It may have also served administrative or medical evacuation purposes for the small community of Tinerkouk. Operations would have been restricted to small, rugged aircraft with Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter or Cessna Caravan, which are designed to operate from unprepared surfaces. The non-standard ICAO identifier 'DZ-0011' signifies that it was a nationally registered special-use or private field, not a public commercial airport.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Tinerkouk Airstrip. The likelihood of it ever being reactivated is extremely low. Its remote location, the high cost of reconstruction and maintenance, and the existence of a far superior modern airport at Timimoun make its revival economically unviable. Any future logistical needs for the Tinerkouk area would be met via ground transportation or air service through existing regional airports.