Santa María, PE 🇵🇪 Closed Airport
ICAO
PE-0052
IATA
-
Elevation
769 ft
Region
PE-LIM
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -11.983334° N, -77.0° E
Continent: South America
Type: Closed Airport
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The airport's closure was a gradual process occurring between approximately 2012 and 2014. Analysis of historical satellite imagery shows the airfield was active in 2011 but saw significant construction and encroachment on its southern end by 2013, rendering it largely unusable. By 2015, the runway was clearly and permanently obstructed.
The closure was due to economic reasons, specifically urban encroachment and high-value real estate development. The airport was located in the popular beach resort district of Santa María del Mar, an area experiencing rapid urban expansion from the Lima metropolis. The value of the land for residential and commercial construction surpassed its value as a general aviation airfield, leading to its sale and redevelopment.
The site is no longer recognizable as an active airport. The land has been partially redeveloped with residential housing complexes, and new roads now intersect the former runway. While large sections of the original asphalt runway are still visible on satellite view, they are fragmented, cracked, and in a complete state of disrepair. The area is now integrated into the urban fabric of the Santa María del Mar district.
Santa Maria Airport was a vital general aviation hub for the Lima metropolitan area. Its primary function was to support civil aviation, including flight schools for pilot training, private aircraft operations, and recreational flying. Its location in a coastal resort town made it a popular destination for weekend pilots and tourists. The airport, along with the now-defunct Collique Airport (SPOL), formed the backbone of Lima's general aviation infrastructure, and its closure represented a significant loss for the local aviation community.
There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening the airport. The construction of permanent buildings and public roads directly on the former runway and airport grounds makes a return to aviation operations physically impossible without massive demolition and land reclamation, which is financially and legally infeasible. The land has been permanently repurposed for urban development.