Airport type Public 03/21 2,860 Elevation 498 m | Elevation AMSL 1,633 ft / 498 m Code IRJ Phone +54 380 446-2160 | |
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Operator Government and Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 Serves La Rioja, La Rioja, Argentina Location Ruta P5, Km 4, La Rioja (F5300) Address Acceso Ruta Provincial 5, 5300 La Rioja, Argentina Province La Rioja Province, Argentina Similar Hertz, Tetra Pak SRL, La Riojana, El Porvenir ‑ Negocios Inmobiliar, Aerolineas Argentinas | ||
Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto de La Rioja - Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid) (IATA: IRJ, ICAO: SANL) is the main airport in La Rioja Province, Argentina serving the city of La Rioja. In 2007, 41,155 passengers used La Rioja Airport.
The airport was named after the Argentine aviation pioneer Vicente Almandos Almonacid (1882–1953).
History
The airport was built in 1948, and was officially inaugurated with an LADE Viking flight on October 11, 1948 (joining La Rioja with Buenos Aires vía Río Cuarto, San Luis, Santa Rosa, and Córdoba). The first terminal was constructed in 1951. In 1952, Aerolíneas Argentinas started flying to La Rioja.
In 1969, a new runway was paved (old one: 18/36 GRASS, new one 03/21 ASPHALT). In 1978, a new terminal was built. In 1990, air conditioning was installed.
It has a 940 m² passenger terminal, 85,000 m² of runways, 33,800m² of taxiways, a 1,730 m² hangar, and a parking place for 70 cars.
Since March 16, 1999, it has been operated by Aeropuertos Argentina 2000.