Comayagua, HN đź‡đź‡ł Closed Airport
ICAO
HN-0011
IATA
-
Elevation
1980 ft
Region
HN-CM
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 14.432799° N, -87.625596° E
Continent: North America
Type: Closed Airport
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Approximately late 2021. This was not a closure in the traditional sense, but a transformation and rebranding. The designation HN-0011, an unofficial identifier for the military airstrip, ceased to be relevant for civil aviation upon the official inauguration of the new civilian terminal.
Military to Civil/Military Dual-Use Conversion. The site was not closed down; rather, it was significantly upgraded and expanded to accommodate civilian international air traffic. A new, modern passenger terminal was built alongside the existing military runway. This project was undertaken to create a safer and more modern international airport for Honduras's central region, specifically to replace the notoriously dangerous ToncontĂn International Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa for most international flights.
The site is now a fully operational, dual-use (civil/military) facility.
1. **Military Side:** It continues to operate as Soto Cano Air Base (MHSC), hosting both the Honduran Air Force and the U.S. JTF-Bravo.
2. **Civilian Side:** It is now the Palmerola International Airport (IATA: XPL, ICAO: MHPR). It opened for commercial flights in December 2021 and serves as the primary international gateway for Tegucigalpa and the Comayagua valley. It handles flights from major international carriers (such as American Airlines, United, Spirit, Avianca) and significant cargo operations, utilizing the long runway that was previously only for military use.
The airport at this location was historically known as Palmerola Air Base, and is currently known as Coronel Enrique Soto Cano Air Base (ICAO: MHSC). Established in the early 1980s, its primary significance has been military.
Key historical points:
- **Honduran Air Force Base:** It serves as a major base for the Honduran Air Force, including its Air Force Academy.
- **US Military Presence:** Since 1983, it has been the home of the U.S. Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo). This has made it a critical strategic location for U.S. operations in Central America, including counter-narcotics missions, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and regional security training.
- **Operations:** Prior to 2021, operations were almost exclusively military, consisting of transport aircraft (like the C-130 Hercules and C-5 Galaxy), helicopters, and training flights. It was never a public, commercial airport for scheduled passenger service.
Not applicable. The airport is not closed. It is open and more active than ever before under its new identity as Palmerola International Airport (XPL/MHPR). There are no plans for it to 'reopen' as it is currently serving as one of Honduras's main international airports, with ongoing operations and plans for future growth.