Bolivia's Gateway To The World: Airport Location Unveiled

Bolivia has 3 international airports located in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. The largest of these is Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, which handles domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. Viru Viru is also the busiest airport in Bolivia, with about 186 domestic and 60 international flights per week. Other international airports in Bolivia include El Alto International Airport in La Paz and Jorge Wilstermann International Airport in Cochabamba.

Viru Viru International Airport, Santa Cruz

Viru Viru International Airport (IATA: VVI, ICAO: SLVR) is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is the largest and busiest airport in the country, with about 186 domestic and 60 international flights per week. The airport is situated north of the city, close to the RN 4 Autovía al Norte motorway. The distance from Viru Viru International Airport to the centre of Santa Cruz de la Sierra is approximately 17 kilometres, which can be covered in 25 minutes by car.

Viru Viru International Airport serves as a hub for domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. The airport can accommodate large aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-600, and Boeing 777-300ER. It is a focus city for Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación, and is also primarily used by Ecojet. The airport consists of a single long terminal with check-in counters in the middle, National Arrivals on the left, and International Arrivals on the right.

The idea of constructing an airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra was conceived in 1965 by General René Barrientos, former president of Bolivia, with the goal of creating an intercontinental airport. Construction began soon after, and the airport was inaugurated in 1983, replacing the outdated El Trompillo Airport. Upon its opening, Viru Viru International Airport became the main gateway for international flights, with Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano using it as a hub until the airline ceased operations in 2008.

The name "Viru Viru" is derived from the indigenous Guarani language spoken in the region. While the exact meaning is ambiguous, it is believed to refer to a nearby hill with a circular shape, a river that has now disappeared, or the geographical area where the airport was built.

El Alto International Airport, La Paz

El Alto International Airport is located in the city of El Alto, Bolivia, and serves the city of La Paz, which is 13 kilometres (8 mi) away. It is one of three international airports in Bolivia, along with Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Jorge Wilstermann International Airport in Cochabamba.

El Alto International Airport is located at an elevation of 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft) in the Andes Mountains, making it the highest international airport in the world and the seventh-highest commercial airport. The thin, high-altitude air means that most wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330, cannot operate at full load. As a result, much of the international traffic to and from Bolivia is handled by Viru Viru International Airport, which is located at a much lower elevation.

The airport has been in service since the first half of the 20th century and was modernised in the late 1960s when its runway was lengthened and a new passenger terminal was built. The airport was inaugurated in 1965 and was a primary hub for the former Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, Bolivia's flag carrier, which ceased operations in 2007. Today, it serves as a focus city for Boliviana de Aviación, the country's flag carrier and state-owned airline.

In 2006, the Bolivian state airport authority, SABSA, opened a new modern terminal for international and domestic flights. The terminal includes various shops offering Bolivian handicrafts, bookstores, and duty-free shops, as well as restaurants and cafes in the main lobby and departure areas. The airport consists of a two-storey terminal, with the Arrivals hall on the left and check-in desks on the right. The security check and boarding gates on the first floor can be reached via escalators on the left of the check-in desks.

Jorge Wilsterman International Airport, Cochabamba

Bolivia has three international airports, one of which is the Jorge Wilsterman International Airport in Cochabamba, located 3 kilometres west of Cochabamba city downtown. It is named after Jorge Wilstermann, a pioneering Bolivian commercial aviator. The airport is the third most important in Bolivia and is considered one of the more modern ones. It handles both domestic and international flights.

The airport was initially established with a single 2649-metre post office and a terminal on Guillermo Killman Avenue. However, due to increasing demand and the need to accommodate larger aircraft, an expansion plan was implemented in 1988. This resulted in the construction of a new 3798-metre runway, which became operational in 1990. A new air terminal was also inaugurated in 1997, while the old terminal was converted into a cargo terminal, now housing a Boliviana de Aviacion hangar.

In terms of transportation, there is a taxi stand and a bus stop outside the airport. The bus service is a regular public transportation line that operates within the city during the day, collecting passengers from designated stops. However, due to the limited number of taxis, it is recommended to hire a transfer service in advance.

The airport provides various amenities for travellers, including ATMs, money exchange services, public phones, and internet services in the arrival terminal. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, VIP lounges are located to the west of the main hall. A variety of dining options, such as restaurants, coffee shops, fast food parlours, and ice cream shops, can be found to the east of the main hall. The main hall also features a range of shopping options, including handicraft stores, souvenir shops, perfume stores, and liquor and tobacco shops. Additionally, the airport offers luggage storage services, 24-hour medical assistance, and electronic interactive stands for tourist information.

For individuals with disabilities, the Jorge Wilsterman International Airport is equipped with ramps, special phone services, and accessible bathroom facilities. Wheelchair assistance is available upon request, and there are also ramps for easier boarding. Parking options include an open parking area in front of the main entrance for short stays and a covered parking area with 24-hour security for long stays, both available at reasonable rates. It is important to note that there are no car rental offices or hotels within the airport premises.

Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport, Sucre

Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport is located in Sucre, Bolivia, the nation's constitutional capital city. The airport is named after Juana Azurduy de Padilla, who fought for independence against Spain.

The airport is situated 10 kilometres from downtown Sucre, about a 20-minute drive away. It is a small airport that previously handled national flights every day. However, it is now closed to commercial flights, with all operations moved to the Alcantarí Airport in 2016. The airport continues to serve as a base for the Bolivian Air Force.

Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport sits at a high altitude of 9,528 feet (2,904 metres). This elevation often resulted in excessive cloudiness, making aircraft approach challenging. The altitude also frequently caused altitude sickness in travellers arriving in Sucre via rapid air travel. Fog due to altitude is a common cause of flight delays and changes, so travellers should consider this when planning a journey.

The airport's only runway is 9,400 feet (2,900 metres) long. The airport was not open 24 hours a day, operating only from sunrise to sunset. A taxi stop is located outside the main terminal entrance, and a bus stop is situated a few metres away. The airport provides a luggage storage service and an open parking area for short stays near the main entrance.

Inside the terminal, passengers can find a restaurant and a coffee shop on the second floor. The main hall features handicraft stores, souvenir shops, and traditional Sucre chocolate shops, including Para Ti and Taboada. Wi-fi is available throughout the airport, and phone booths are provided for international and local calls. Notably, there are no ATMs or money exchange services at the airport.

El Trompillo Airport, Santa Cruz

El Trompillo Airport, also known as Capitan Horacio Vasquez Airport, is located in the southern or southwestern part of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, about 2 kilometres (1.25 miles) away from the central plaza. It was created in 1920 with a runway that measured no more than 800 metres (2,624 feet). The airport was named after Captain Horacio Vasquez, honouring a pilot who died in an accident while flying from Argentina to La Paz. However, due to its location, it became commonly known as "El Trompillo".

For the first 65 years of its existence, El Trompillo Airport was the only airport in Santa Cruz. It served as the main gateway for international flights until it was replaced by the Viru Viru International Airport in 1983 or 1984. Since then, El Trompillo has only operated local and regional flights, with no commercial passenger flights as of 2019. The airport has a landing strip of approximately 3,200 metres, surrounded by hangars of the Bolivian Air Force, small airlines, and an aviation school. It works with regional airlines such as Alas de Sur, Aerocon (which had its head office in Hangar 93), Amaszonas, and TAM Militar. Most commercial flights arrive between 10:00 and 17:00, and the airport does not operate at night.

Express buses and taxis connect the airport with Santa Cruz de la Sierra city and the metropolitan area. The bus and taxi stops are conveniently located close to the terminal in the exterior areas. El Trompillo Airport also offers ample parking space in front of the main entrance, which is free for short stays and secured by permanent security. However, there is no hotel within the airport premises, so travellers in need of lodging are advised to make reservations in advance at nearby accommodations.

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