Los Roques Airport (LRV)

Los Roques Airport (IATA: LRV, ICAO: SVRS) serves as the exclusive aerial gateway to the Los Roques archipelago, a Venezuelan national park in the Caribbean Sea. Its primary function is to support the region's tourism-based economy, providing the main point of access for visitors traveling to the remote coral atoll. The airport is situated on Gran Roque, the only permanently inhabited island in the archipelago, and is essential for connecting the local community and tourist operations with the mainland.

Established in 1956, the airport was developed to facilitate access to what was then a remote and sparsely populated group of islands. Its existence has been fundamental to the growth of Los Roques as a travel destination. The facility's infrastructure has remained modest, reflecting the national park's commitment to preserving the natural environment and limiting large-scale development. The airport operates with a single asphalt runway that accommodates small, short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.

Located on the southeastern edge of the Gran Roque settlement, the airport is integrated directly with the town. Upon arrival, travelers find themselves just a few steps from the sandy streets and local inns, known as *posadas*. The island is small and pedestrian-friendly, so taxis or rental cars are non-existent. Most visitors are met at the airport by representatives from their pre-booked accommodations, who often use handcarts to assist with transporting luggage to the nearby lodgings.

Operations at Los Roques Airport are exclusively domestic, consisting of scheduled and charter flights primarily from Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) near Caracas. Flights are operated by a small number of local airlines using turboprop aircraft, such as the Let L-410 or Britten-Norman Islander, due to the runway's length limitations. The airport operates only during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), meaning flights can be subject to delays or cancellations in adverse weather conditions.

The airport's facilities are basic, consistent with its remote location and small scale. The terminal is a simple, partially open-air structure containing check-in counters for the airlines, a security checkpoint, and a waiting area. There are no jet bridges, duty-free shops, or restaurants within the terminal itself, though basic services are available in the adjacent town. Upon arrival, passengers disembark directly onto the tarmac and walk to the terminal to collect their luggage and pay the national park entrance fee. Travelers should pack light, as airlines enforce strict baggage weight limits, typically around 10 kilograms per person.