El Pichol Airstrip

The closure is strongly linked to the security situation in the region. Choix is located within the 'Golden Triangle,' an area known for extensive drug cultivation and trafficking operations by cartels. Remote, unpaved airstrips like El Pichol are frequently used as 'narco-pistas' (narco-airstrips) for illicit logistics. It is highly probable that the airstrip was either forcibly closed and disabled by the Mexican military (SEDENA) to prevent its use by organized crime, or it was abandoned due to the prevailing security risks and lack of economic viability. The Mexican government has a long-standing policy of destroying clandestine runways in this region.

The site is currently an abandoned and disused airstrip. Satellite imagery confirms the physical outline of the dirt runway still exists, but it is unmaintained, partially overgrown with vegetation, and shows signs of erosion. There are no buildings, markings, or infrastructure remaining that would support aviation. The land appears to be unused for any formal purpose, though occasional vehicle tracks suggest it may be crossed by local farm or off-road vehicles.

When active, El Pichol Airstrip served as a vital general aviation facility for the remote and mountainous municipality of Choix. It primarily handled small, single-engine propeller aircraft (e.g., Cessna 206, Piper PA-28). Its operations were crucial for connecting the isolated community to larger cities, providing services such as:
- **Medical Evacuations:** Transporting patients in need of urgent medical care.
- **Passenger and Cargo Transport:** Moving people, mail, and essential supplies.
- **Support for Local Economy:** Potentially supporting local mining or agricultural activities.
For many years, it was a key piece of infrastructure that reduced the isolation of the region before road networks were improved.

There are no known or published plans to reopen El Pichol Airstrip. The significant and persistent security challenges in the Sinaloa region make the operation of small, unsecured airfields extremely difficult and risky. Furthermore, with improved road access and the proximity of the much larger and more secure Valle del Fuerte International Airport (MMLM) in Los Mochis, there is no economic or logistical incentive for the government or private entities to invest in reopening this remote strip. Its reopening is considered highly improbable.