Chinaja Airstrip

The closure was likely due to a combination of economic and security factors. Economically, it was primarily built to support oil exploration, and as those specific operations waned or logistical needs changed (e.g., improved road access), the airstrip became obsolete. From a security standpoint, the Guatemalan government has actively closed many remote, unsupervised airstrips across the country to prevent their use for illicit activities, particularly drug trafficking, which is prevalent in the region.

The site is completely abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery confirms the runway outline is still visible but is heavily overgrown with grass, shrubs, and small trees. It is unmaintained and entirely unusable for any type of aircraft. The surrounding land appears to be a mix of jungle and small-scale agriculture, with the airstrip itself being slowly reclaimed by nature.

Chinaja Airstrip's primary historical significance was its role as a logistical support base for oil exploration and production in the remote northern Alta Verapaz department, a region known for petroleum reserves. Built in the latter half of the 20th century, it was vital for transporting personnel, specialized equipment, and supplies to and from exploration sites in the dense jungle. It would have handled small, rugged, short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft. Additionally, it served as a crucial transportation link for the small, isolated community of Chinajá, providing access for medical evacuations and essential goods before more reliable road infrastructure was developed.

There are no known or published plans to reopen Chinaja Airstrip. The significant cost required to clear, restore, and certify the runway, combined with the lack of a current economic driver and the government's security policy of decommissioning such remote strips, makes any prospect of reopening extremely low.