El Centenario Airstrip

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons and a lack of demand. Like many small, regional airstrips in Mexico, its operational costs likely outweighed its utility as ground transportation infrastructure improved in the region. The decline in general aviation and the high cost of maintenance and security for a low-traffic field made it economically unviable for the local municipality or any private owner to maintain.

The site is currently abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery confirms the paved runway is still intact but is in a state of severe disrepair, with significant cracking, vegetation overgrowth, and faded markings. There are no active aviation facilities on site. The runway is reportedly used informally by local residents for non-aviation activities such as driving practice, drag racing, or as a pedestrian walkway. It has not been formally repurposed for industrial, military, or commercial use.

El Centenario Airstrip served as a local and regional air link for the municipality of Platón Sánchez and the surrounding Huasteca Veracruzana region. When active, it primarily handled general aviation operations, including:
- **Air Taxi Services:** Connecting Platón Sánchez to larger cities for business and personal travel before road networks were fully modernized.
- **Agricultural Aviation:** Supporting the local agricultural economy through services like crop dusting and aerial surveying.
- **Private Aviation:** Used by private pilots and for executive transport related to local businesses, ranching, or land ownership.
Its significance was not national but was vital for providing rapid access to a relatively remote area.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening El Centenario Airstrip. The economic factors that led to its closure remain, and there is no apparent commercial or logistical demand in the region that would justify the significant investment required to restore the runway, rebuild facilities, and ensure regulatory compliance and security. The region is adequately served by ground transportation and larger, albeit distant, airports for any significant air travel needs.