Airplan, the airport contractor that runs Medellín’s José Maria Córdova International Airport (MDE) has warned that Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation regulatory authority has authorized the closure of the airport’s only runway twice during February 2022, each time for 36 continuous hours. No incoming or outgoing fixed-wing aircraft flights will be possible during the closures.

No commercial flights will operate for 2 stretches of 36 straight hours to perform runway maintenance.

The airport closure is necessary, says Airplan’s Ana Lucía Pérez Mesa, in order to perform runway maintenance and repairs, and the shutdown has been coordinated with the commercial passenger and freight carriers that use the airport.

“As part of the Airplan maintenance program, periodic measurements are undertaken to ascertain the runway pavement condition. Based on recent measurements, actions are necessary to guarantee the maximum useful life and operational safety (of the runway). After carrying out some measurements, we determined that the runway should be [repaired] in two areas in order to restore optimal conditions and extend the runway’s remaining lifespan,” said airport manager Fredy Jaramillo Giraldo.

• ·        First closing: Saturday, February 19 from 2 a.m. m. until Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. m. (36 hours).
• ·        Second closing: Saturday, February 26 from 2 a.m. m. until Sunday February 27 at 2 pm (36 hours).

The work to be done requires extended periods of time to guarantee quality, so will take place over two consecutive weekends for a total of 72 hours of closure.

“We are aware of the discomfort and inconvenience that these works generate in the public, so we reiterate that they are necessary to ensure safety of everyone, and together with the airlines and authorities, all options were pursued so that airport operation is impacted as little as possible,” added Giraldo.

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Above photo: A General Dynamics F-16 belonging to the US Air Force Thunderbirds takes off from Medellín’s International Airport  during the 2019 semi-annual F-AIR air show (photo © Loren Moss)