Los Capires Airport

The airport was closed for national security reasons to combat organized crime. Its remote location in the Sierra Madre del Sur, coupled with limited official oversight, made it a strategic asset for drug trafficking organizations. Cartels used such airstrips for transporting narcotics, weapons, and personnel. To eliminate this illicit use, Mexican military forces rendered the runway unusable.

The airport is abandoned and derelict. High-resolution satellite imagery confirms that the site is completely inactive. The single asphalt runway, while still visible, is in a state of severe disrepair, overgrown with vegetation, and has been intentionally disabled with large trenches or berms dug across its width at several points. This was a deliberate measure by the military to permanently prevent aircraft from landing. The site is not maintained and is not used for any other purpose.

Los Capires Airport was a small regional airstrip (aeropista) that primarily handled general aviation. It was a vital transportation link for the mountainous and relatively isolated municipality of Arteaga. Its operations would have included private charter flights, air taxi services, medical evacuations, and logistical support for local activities like agriculture or mining. For the local community, it provided a critical connection to larger cities, significantly reducing travel time through challenging terrain. However, its history is inextricably linked to the rise of cartel power in the region, which co-opted such infrastructure for their operations, ultimately leading to its forced closure.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Los Capires Airport. The security situation in the region remains a significant concern for the government. Furthermore, the cost to repair the deliberately damaged runway and rebuild any supporting infrastructure would be substantial. Given the lack of a strong economic or commercial driver for aviation in this specific location, its reopening is considered extremely unlikely.