La Chinita International Airport is an international airport serving Maracaibo, the capital of Zulia State, Venezuela. It is located southwest of Maracaibo proper in the municipality of San Francisco. La Chinita is Venezuela's second most important airport in terms of passenger and aircraft movements, after Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas.
History This airport construction was accelerated due to the accident of Viasa Flight 742 on 16 March 1969, resulting in the death of 155 people and the closure of Grano de Oro Airport, which is located too close to the city centre and surrounded by neighborhoods.
Physical Characteristics
Location: Located in the municipality of San Francisco, Zulia State, approximately 72 meters (235 feet) above sea level. Property Size: The entire airport complex spans a massive 1,335 hectares. Runways: Main Runway (03L/21R): 3000 meters long, 45 meters wide. It features a 450(kg/cm^2) threshold strength and is built with over 400 tons of asphalt concrete. Secondary Runway (03R/21L): 2500 meters long, 30 meters wide, often acting as a taxiway but utilized as a runway if the primary strip is closed.
Facilities
Facilities at the airport include: Dining & Shopping: Cafes and snack bars, fast food chains, and duty-free shops. Financial Services: ATMs, bank branches, and currency exchange points. Comfort & Services: VIP lounges (WiFi), medical services, and mother/child rooms. Accessibilities: Ramps and specially equipped restrooms for passengers with limited mobility. Ground Transportation Taxi and shuttle services are available to take you to Maracaibo. Car rentals can be booked.
Airlines and destinations Passenger
Cargo
Accidents and incidents On 1 November 1971, Vickers Viscount YV-C-AMZ of Linea Aeropostal Venezolana crashed shortly after take-off. All four people on board were killed. On 5 March 1991, Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela Flight 108 crashed into a nearby mountain soon after takeoff, killing all 45 passengers and crew.
See also Transport in Venezuela List of airports in Venezuela
References
External links
SkyVector - La Chinita OurAirports - La Chinita OpenStreetMap - La Chinita