Diego Jiménez Torres Airport

The closure was a strategic decision based on infrastructure consolidation and improvement. The nearby Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba was decommissioned in 2004, making its large, well-maintained military airfield available for civilian use. The Puerto Rico Ports Authority chose to develop this superior facility into a new regional airport (José Aponte de la Torre Airport). This new airport offered much longer runways, modern infrastructure, and better safety margins compared to the small and aging Fajardo airport. Consequently, all air traffic and airline operations were relocated from Fajardo to the new Ceiba airport, making the Fajardo facility redundant.

The airport site has been completely redeveloped and no longer exists as an aviation facility. The land was sold for commercial development. Today, the former airport grounds are occupied by a large shopping center that includes major retailers such as a Walmart Supercenter and The Home Depot, along with other smaller stores and restaurants. The runway, taxiways, and all airport buildings have been demolished, and there are no visible remnants of its past as an airport.

Diego Jiménez Torres Airport was a crucial general aviation and commuter airport for the eastern coast of Puerto Rico for several decades. Its primary and most vital function was serving as the main air link from the Puerto Rican mainland to the island municipalities of Vieques (VQS) and Culebra (CPX). It was the hub for essential commuter airlines like Vieques Air Link and Isla Nena Air Service, which transported thousands of residents and tourists annually. The airport was an integral part of the local economy, supporting tourism and providing a lifeline for island residents needing to travel to the main island for commerce, medical appointments, and other services. It was named in honor of a local aviator from Fajardo.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been permanently repurposed and fully developed for commercial use, making any return to aviation activities impossible. Its role has been effectively and permanently superseded by the José Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR) in Ceiba, which is located only a few miles away and provides a far superior service for the region.