Barillas

The closure was primarily due to a combination of economic and logistical factors. Its strategic importance diminished after the Civil War, and the high cost of maintenance for a remote, unpaved airstrip with low traffic volume made it economically unviable. The gradual improvement of road networks in the region, while still challenging, reduced its critical necessity. The airstrip deteriorated over time from a lack of funding and upkeep until it was no longer safe or usable for aircraft operations.

The site of the former airstrip is no longer a functional airfield. The unpaved runway is now used as a public road and thoroughfare for local traffic, including cars and motorcycles. The land has been significantly encroached upon by residential buildings and other structures built along its edges. Parts of the adjacent area are also used for recreation, including a football pitch. The site has been effectively repurposed as integrated public and residential land.

The Barillas airstrip was a vital lifeline for the remote municipality of Santa Cruz Barillas, located deep in the Cuchumatanes mountains. When active, it primarily handled general aviation, humanitarian aid, and medical evacuation (medevac) flights. It was extensively used by missionary aviation organizations, such as Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), to transport doctors, patients, missionaries, and critical supplies. The airstrip provided essential connectivity for a community that was otherwise isolated by difficult mountainous terrain, significantly reducing travel time for emergencies and essential services compared to the multi-hour journey by road. It also likely served a logistical role for government and military operations during the Guatemalan Civil War.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Barillas airstrip. The significant encroachment by permanent structures, its current use as a public road, and the prohibitive cost required to acquire the land and restore it to a safe, operational standard make reopening highly unlikely. The focus of Guatemala's civil aviation authority (DGAC) is on maintaining and upgrading larger, existing regional airports.