El Rodeo Airport

The closure was most likely due to economic reasons and obsolescence. Small, private airstrips like El Rodeo are typically built to support a specific local industry, such as mining, agriculture, or large-scale ranching. The closure likely corresponds to a shift in the operational needs of its primary user(s). This could include the conclusion of a specific project, a company ceasing local operations, or a determination that ground transportation was more cost-effective. There is no evidence to suggest it was closed due to a major accident or for military conversion.

The airport is abandoned and in a state of complete disrepair. Satellite imagery clearly shows the outline of the former runway, but it is heavily overgrown with desert scrub and vegetation. It is not maintained and is unusable for any aviation purposes. There are no visible aircraft or signs of activity. The land appears to be unused and is slowly reverting to its natural state. Any small buildings or hangars that may have existed are likely derelict or have been removed.

El Rodeo Airport was a small, private general aviation airstrip (aeródromo). Its significance was purely local. It was not a commercial airport and did not handle scheduled passenger flights. Its primary function was to provide air access to a relatively remote area for private and corporate use. Operations would have consisted of light aircraft, such as single-engine Cessnas or Pipers and possibly light twin-engine aircraft. These would be used for:
- Transporting personnel, executives, or technicians for local mining or agricultural operations.
- Moving small, high-value cargo or emergency parts.
- Supporting large private ranches in the area.
- General aviation for private owners.
The runway was unpaved (dirt/gravel) and approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) long, suitable only for aircraft capable of operating from unprepared surfaces.

There are no known or published plans to reopen El Rodeo Airport. The prospect of it reopening is extremely low. Reactivating the airstrip would require significant investment to clear, grade, and compact the runway. Given the lack of apparent economic demand and the availability of other transportation options and regional airports (like Nacozari Airport, MMZAR, about 60 km to the northeast), there is no practical incentive for local government or private enterprise to restore the facility.