Arivaipa Airstrip

The specific reason for closure is not publicly documented. As a private airstrip likely serving a remote ranch, the most probable reasons include: 1) A change in the ownership or operational needs of the property it served, making air access no longer necessary or economically viable. 2) Deliberate abandonment or disabling to prevent its use for illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, which is a common fate for remote, unmonitored airstrips in this region of Mexico.

The site is abandoned. Satellite imagery from the 2020s confirms the single runway is still clearly visible but is in a state of complete disrepair. It is overgrown with desert scrub, shows signs of erosion, and is completely unsuitable for any aviation activity. There are no buildings, hangars, or any infrastructure remaining on the site. The surrounding land is remote, undeveloped Sonoran Desert.

The airstrip holds no major historical significance and was a private-use facility. The identifier 'MX-1442' is not an official ICAO code (which for Mexico begin with 'MM') but is likely a non-standard identifier used in a specific aviation database or a local DGAC (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil) registration. Its primary function was almost certainly to support operations of a large, remote cattle ranch. Operations would have consisted of general aviation aircraft (e.g., Cessna, Piper) for transporting personnel, light cargo, and supplies to and from a location with poor or non-existent road access.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Arivaipa Airstrip. Reactivating the airstrip would require significant private investment to clear, regrade, and potentially resurface the runway. Given its remote location and the lack of apparent economic drivers in the immediate vicinity, a reopening is considered highly unlikely. Furthermore, any attempt to reactivate a remote airstrip in this region would likely attract close scrutiny from Mexican authorities.