Las Carmenes Airport

The closure is not attributed to a single event like an accident or economic failure of a commercial enterprise. The primary reason is the intense security situation in the state of Tamaulipas during that period. Many private airstrips in the region were either forcibly taken over by drug cartels for illicit logistics or were seized and disabled by the Mexican military (SEDENA) and federal forces to prevent their use. Owners of legitimate private airstrips often abandoned them due to the extreme risk and pressure from criminal organizations. Las Carmenes, being a private, relatively isolated strip, fits this pattern of abandonment due to regional security collapse.

The site is abandoned as an airfield. Satellite imagery confirms the presence of a paved runway approximately 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) long. However, the runway is in a state of severe disrepair. It is unmarked, has significant cracking, and shows vegetation growing through the pavement, making it completely unsuitable for any aviation operations. The associated buildings, which appear to be hangars or large ranch facilities, may still be in use for agricultural purposes, but the aviation infrastructure itself is derelict.

Las Carmenes Airport was a private airstrip. It held no national or commercial significance and never handled scheduled passenger or cargo flights. Its purpose was to serve the large agricultural ranch on which it is located, likely named 'Rancho Las Carmenes'. Operations would have consisted of general aviation aircraft (such as Cessna, Piper, or similar models) for transporting the ranch owners, personnel, guests, and high-value supplies. It may also have supported agricultural aviation (crop dusting) for the surrounding farmlands. The identifier MX-2454 is not an official ICAO code but a pseudo-code used by some non-governmental aviation databases and flight simulator scenery designers.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Las Carmenes Airport. The likelihood of it being restored for aviation use is extremely low. Any attempt to reopen it would face significant obstacles, including:
1. **High Cost:** The runway would require a complete and costly resurfacing.
2. **Security Concerns:** The security environment in the region, while improved in some areas, remains a major challenge. Operating a private airstrip would require extensive security measures to prevent its use by illicit actors.
3. **Regulatory Hurdles:** The owner would need to re-certify the airstrip with Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), a process that would be heavily scrutinized given the location's history and regional context.