Damon Mcknight
La Paz, Bolivia, is served by El Alto International Airport, located in the city of El Alto, 13 kilometres west of La Paz. The airport has been in service since the first half of the 20th century and is the highest international airport in the world, located at 4,061.5 metres above sea level. La Paz is also the name of an international airport in Mexico, situated along the western shore of the Gulf of California. This airport is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, and is named after Manuel Márquez de León, a Mexican politician, military leader, and intellectual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | El Alto International Airport |
| Location | El Alto, Bolivia |
| Distance from La Paz | 8 km in a straight line; 13 km (8 mi) or 17 km (10.5 mi) by road |
| Elevation | 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft) above sea level |
| Average temperature | 6 °C (43 °F) |
| Airlines | Boliviana de Aviación, LATAM Airlines Group SA, Boliviana De Aviacion |
| Destinations | Cobija, Cochabamba, Lima, Santa Cruz de la Sierra–Viru Viru, Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Uyuni |
| Transport | Bus line 212, taxis, Uber |
| Facilities | Information desk, ATMs, money exchange, cafes, restaurant, shops, luggage storage, medical/first aid services, VIP lounges, car parking |
What You'll Learn
El Alto International Airport
The airport has various shops, including those offering Bolivian handicrafts, bookstores, and duty-free shops. There are also restaurants and cafes in the main lobby and in both domestic and international departure areas. ATMs and money exchange services are available in the Arrivals area, and there is a luggage storage facility at the main terminal. There is also an information desk located in the main terminal building.
Transport options to and from the airport include bus, taxi, and ride-hailing services such as Uber. Bus line 212 offers a frequent service between the airport and Isabel The Catholic Square (Plaza Isabel la Católica) in La Paz, with 37 stops along the route. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal, and it is recommended to agree on the fare with the driver before beginning your journey.
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La Paz's airport history
El Alto International Airport, located in the city of El Alto, serves La Paz, Bolivia. It is the highest international airport in the world, sitting at 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft) above sea level. The airport has been in service since the first half of the 20th century, but its history can be traced back to the early 20th century when aviation began in Bolivia.
The Early Years of Aviation in Bolivia
In 1916, the Military School of Aviation (Escuela Militar de Aviación) was established in La Paz, marking the beginning of air transport in the country. It wasn't until 1929 that the local La Paz government first planned the construction of an airport. However, it wasn't officially inaugurated until the 1960s, with the airport finally opening in 1965.
Modernisation and Development
In the late 1960s, the airport underwent modernisation. The runway was lengthened, and a new passenger terminal with modern facilities was constructed. This modernisation improved the airport's capacity and functionality, making it a vital hub for air travel in Bolivia.
Name Changes and Ownership Transitions
The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. Until 1999, it bore the name John F. Kennedy (JFK), although this name was never officially used. Due to pressure from various sectors, the airport's name was changed to El Alto International Airport through Law 1944 during the government of Hugo Banzer Suárez.
In terms of ownership, the airport has also seen transitions. From 1997 to 2004, it was managed by TBI plc, which owned concessions for the three biggest airports in Bolivia. In 2004, the Spanish conglomerate Abertis acquired the company, taking ownership of the airport. In February 2013, the Government of Bolivia announced the nationalisation of the airport, taking full ownership and operations.
Recent Developments
El Alto International Airport continues to be an important gateway for air travel in Bolivia. It serves as a focus city for Boliviana de Aviación, the country's flag carrier and state-owned airline. The airport features two runways, with the main one capable of accommodating large aircraft operations at higher altitudes.
The airport has also invested in modernising its facilities, with SABSA investing nearly $2.3 million in the reconstruction of the main terminal in 2006. This included enlarging and reshaping the baggage claim room, check-in area, and corridors to the air bridges, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.
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Airlines flying to/from La Paz
La Paz is served by El Alto International Airport, located in the city of El Alto, 13 kilometres west of La Paz. It is the highest international airport in the world, sitting at 4,061.5 metres above sea level.
The airport is served by several airlines, including:
- American Airlines
- LATAM Airlines Group SA
- Boliviana De Aviacion
- EcoJet
- Avianca
- Copa Airlines
- Amaszonas
- BoA (Boliviana de Aviación)
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Transport to/from the airport
El Alto International Airport (IATA: LPB, ICAO: SLLP) serves La Paz, Bolivia. The airport is located in the city of El Alto, 13 kilometres (8 mi) west of La Paz. It is the highest international airport in the world, with an elevation of 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft).
By Road:
From central La Paz, travellers can follow National Route 3 (Héroes de la Guerra del Chaco) and head north out of the city. This route then loops back and continues southwest towards the airport. Bus line 212 offers a frequent service between El Alto International Airport and Isabel The Catholic Square (Plaza Isabel la Católica) in La Paz. This route covers 37 stops and passengers can buy tickets directly from the bus driver. Taxis are also readily available outside the terminal and Uber operates in La Paz.
By Air:
The airport has two runways. The main runway, "10R/28L", has a concrete surface and is 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) long, accommodating large aircraft operations at higher altitudes. A second runway, "10L/28R", is located parallel to the main runway and has a grass surface.
The airport is served by Boliviana de Aviación, the state-owned airline and flag carrier of Bolivia. International airlines that operate flights to and from the airport include American Airlines, Iberia, Air Europa, Avianca, LATAM Airlines, and Gol.
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Facilities at the airport
El Alto International Airport (IATA: LPB, ICAO: SLLP) serves La Paz, Bolivia. It is located in the city of El Alto, 13 kilometres (8 mi) west of La Paz. At an elevation of 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft), it is the highest international airport in the world.
The airport has two runways. The main runway, "10R/28L", has a concrete surface and is 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) long, allowing large aircraft operations at higher altitudes. A second runway, "10L/28R", is located parallel to the main runway and has a grass surface.
The airport has various shops offering Bolivian handicrafts, bookstores, and duty-free shops. There are also restaurants and cafes in the main lobby and in both domestic and international departure areas. An information desk is located in the main terminal building.
ATMs and money exchange services are available in the Arrivals area. A luggage storage facility is at the main terminal. Medical/first aid services are also available. There are no meeting rooms at the airport, but basic business services are available in the two VIP lounges, one at each Departures wing.
An open-air car park sits just outside the terminal building. Bus line 212 offers frequent service between El Alto International Airport and Isabel The Catholic Square (Plaza Isabel la Católica) in La Paz. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal building, and Uber operates in La Paz.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, La Paz, Bolivia is served by El Alto International Airport.
The airport is approximately 8 km (5 miles) from La Paz in a straight line, but the actual journey distance is approximately 17 km (10.5 miles).
Bus line 212 offers a frequent service between the airport and Isabel The Catholic Square (Plaza Isabel la Católica) in La Paz. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal building, and Uber also operates in La Paz.
