Former Puerto Peñasco Airport

Replacement and Economic Development. The primary reason for closure was the construction and opening of the new, modern Mar de Cortés International Airport. The old airport had significant limitations that hindered the region's growth as a major tourist destination:

1. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** Its runway was too short (approximately 1,500 meters / 4,900 feet) to safely accommodate larger commercial jets like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, which are necessary for attracting international mass tourism.
2. **Urban Encroachment:** The airport was located within the city limits and had become surrounded by urban development, making expansion impossible and creating safety and noise concerns for the growing population.
3. **Economic Strategy:** The new airport was a key component of a large-scale private and public investment strategy to transform Puerto Peñasco into a premier international resort destination, a goal the old airport's limited capacity could not support.

The former airport site is undergoing complete urban redevelopment. As of the early 2020s, the land has been repurposed for commercial and residential use. Satellite imagery shows new roads, retail centers (including a Sam's Club and Bodega Aurrerá), and housing developments built directly over the old runway and taxiways. While faint outlines of the runway may still be visible in some undeveloped patches, the airport infrastructure, including the terminal and hangars, has been demolished. The site is no longer recognizable as an airport and has been fully integrated into the city's urban grid. There are no remaining aviation activities.

The Former Puerto Peñasco Airport was the original air gateway to the city for several decades. It played a crucial role in the early development of the town's tourism and fishing industries.

- **Operations Handled:** It primarily served general aviation, welcoming private pilots from the Southwestern United States (especially Arizona and California) who were instrumental in establishing Puerto Peñasco as a vacation spot. It also handled small charter flights and limited regional commercial services with smaller turboprop and light jet aircraft.
- **Economic Role:** The airport was vital for connecting the relatively isolated community, supporting business travel, and providing access for American tourists and homeowners long before the major resort boom. It was the foundation upon which the city's reputation as an accessible beach destination was built.

Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its closure was permanent, and its function was completely superseded by the larger, more capable Mar de Cortés International Airport located southeast of the city. The land is far more valuable for its current use in urban development, and the ongoing construction makes any return to aviation functions physically impossible and economically nonsensical.