La Polvosa Airport

The primary reason for the closure of La Polvosa Airport was not economic but strategic. Remote, unsupervised airstrips (aeropistas) like La Polvosa in the Sierra Madre Occidental region are frequently exploited by cartels for illicit logistics, including the transportation of drugs, weapons, and personnel. As part of a broader national security strategy, Mexican authorities, particularly the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), have systematically identified and disabled hundreds of such clandestine or low-security airstrips to disrupt cartel operations. The closure was likely a preventative measure or a direct response to its use for illegal activities.

The site is abandoned and the airstrip is no longer maintained for aviation. Satellite imagery confirms the dirt/gravel runway is still clearly visible but is in a state of disrepair. It shows signs of erosion, vegetation growth, and is reportedly used by locals as an unpaved road for vehicles. There is no infrastructure such as a terminal, hangars, or lighting, and the surface is unsuitable for safe aircraft landings.

When active, La Polvosa Airport was a vital, albeit rudimentary, transportation link for the remote municipality of Moris. It was never a commercial airport with scheduled flights. Its operations were exclusively focused on general aviation. The airstrip primarily served:
- **Local Industry:** Supporting the region's mining and logging operations by flying in personnel, essential supplies, and high-value equipment parts.
- **Community Connectivity:** Providing a crucial link for residents to larger cities for medical emergencies (air ambulance), business, and government affairs. Travel by air was significantly faster and sometimes safer than navigating the difficult mountain roads.
- **Government and Service Access:** Used by small charter aircraft to bring doctors, engineers, and government officials to the isolated community.
In essence, it was a lifeline that connected Moris to the outside world before road infrastructure was significantly improved.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening La Polvosa Airport. Given its history and the ongoing security concerns in the region, it is highly unlikely that government authorities would invest in restoring it. The focus for regional development is typically on improving ground transportation infrastructure. Any future air access for the region would likely be concentrated at larger, more secure regional airports.