Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox airport | name = La Aurora International Airport | nativename = ''Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora'' | nativename-r = | image = MGGT8.jpg | image-width = 250 | IATA = GUA | ICAO = MGGT | type = Military/Public | owner = Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda | operator = [[Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (Guatemala)|Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil]] | city-served = [[Guatemala City]], Guatemala | location = <!-- if different --> | hub = * [[Avianca Guatemala]] * [[Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos]] | elevation-m = 1509 | coordinates = {{coord|14|34|54|N|090|31|36|W|region:GT|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Guatemala Guatemala#Guatemala | pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Guatemala Department]]##Location in [[Guatemala]] | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_label = '''MGGT''' | website = | metric-elev = yes | metric-rwy = yes | r1-number = 02/20 | r1-length-m = 2987 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2019 | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 3,034,546 | footnotes = Source: Guatemalan [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]]<ref name="AIP">[http://www.cocesna.org/includes/tng/pub/tNG_download4.php?id=100&lng=0&KT_download1=b76fc0359c3ff35440b9ddaf7e987211 MGGT – LA AURORA Internacional]</ref> }} '''La Aurora International Airport''' ({{lang-es|Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora}}, {{Airport codes|GUA|MGGT|p=n}}) serves [[Guatemala City]], [[Guatemala]]. It is located {{Convert|6.4|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="AIP"/> south of Guatemala City's center and {{convert|25|km|abbr=on}} from [[Antigua Guatemala]]. It is administered by the [[Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (Guatemala)|Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil]]. La Aurora International Airport is the primary airport of Guatemala. The airport went through a massive modernization and expansion. The airport is now able to accept a greater number of flights and larger aircraft. It provides high standard installations to the traveler. The old terminal has been renovated in accordance with its original design. It was partly demolished and was expanded with a new glass-designed concourse and is now able to accommodate up to twenty-two aircraft. {{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} The greater project was completed by December 2008. The airport currently has two terminals: Central and North. La Aurora International Airport is [[List of the busiest airports in Central America|the fourth busiest airport in Central America]] in terms of passenger traffic, surpassed by [[Tocumen International Airport]] in Panamá, [[Juan Santamaría International Airport]] in Costa Rica, and [[Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport]] in El Salvador. In June 2007 the airport was certified as Category I but lost it in August 2018. == Overview == La Aurora is being renovated, along with other airports in Guatemala, such as [[Mundo Maya International Airport]], [[Quetzaltenango Airport]], [[Puerto Barrios Airport]], and [[San José Airport (Guatemala)|San José Airport]]. In July 2007, seven new gates were opened. These gates are equipped with jetway bridges and modern conveniences, also a new parking garage was also built and it can handle up to 500 vehicles. There are brand new ticket counters. 2007 brought significant gate expansion (11 new gates were available starting December 2007). The airport now has two concourses. The northern concourse has 12 traditional gates and 3 remote gates. The central concourse, is used for larger aircraft as it provides 4–6 gates depending on the size of the aircraft. The airport's runway currently measures {{Convert|2987|x|60|m|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="AIP"/> There have been efforts in the past to expand the runway but this has not yet been possible since there's a commercial area to the north of the runway and a small ravine near the southern side of the runway. Still, the renovation of the runway is in progress. The first phase consists in repaving the runway as well modernizing the illumination system. Future plans to expand the taxiway repave and move all the cargo facilities to [[San José Airport (Guatemala)|San José Airport]] in [[Escuintla]] and [[Puerto Barrios Airport]] in [[Izabal Department|Izabal]]. This will make room for more passenger terminal area and improved taxiways. Finally, the airport administration building is being refurbished and a regional terminal is being built. La Aurora International Airport has 2 Exclusive VIP Lounges. Los Añejos Business Lounge, and Copa Club, a VIP Lounge for passengers travelling on [[Copa Airlines]] and [[United Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.copaair.com/sites/cc/es/nuestros-productos/pages/presidents-club.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-10-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928095353/http://www.copaair.com/Sites/CC/es/Nuestros-productos/Pages/Presidents-Club.aspx |archivedate=28 September 2011 }}</ref> Cargo operations are handled beside the passenger terminal building by [http://www.combexim.com.gt COMBEX-IM] or in the DHL hangars. <ref>[http:/upwiki/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Terminal_Norte_Aeropuerto_la_Aurora.jpg]{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The head office of the ''[[Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (Guatemala)|Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil]]'' is located in the airport Zone 13.<ref>"[http://www.aaib.gov.mn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=61&lang=en ADDRESSES OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES As of March 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903022656/http://www.aaib.gov.mn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=61&lang=en |date=3 September 2011 }}." [[Air Accident Investigation Bureau (Mongolia)|Air Accident Investigation Bureau]]. Retrieved on 22 January 2012. "GUATEMALA Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil Aeropuerto Internacional "La Aurora" Zona 13 Guatemala, Centro América"</ref><ref>"[http://www.dgacguate.com/soft/descargas/834.pdf A 01/11 31 ENE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309211728/http://dgacguate.com/soft/descargas/834.pdf |date= 9 March 2016 }}." ''[[Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (Guatemala)|Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil]]''. Retrieved on 22 January 2012. "Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora 9 Av. 14–75 Zona 13 C.P. 1013"</ref> ==History of La Aurora== ===World War II=== [[File:Laauroraairpot1940.jpg|thumb|Original airport building, circa. 1940.]] During [[World War II]], the airport was used by the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Sixth Air Force]] defending the Central American coastline against [[Axis powers]] submarines. The first American personnel began arriving in December 1941; the airfield was improved and expanded by the [[805th Engineer Aviation Battalion (United States)|United States' 805th Engineer Aviation Battalion]] in early 1942. During its period of American use, the military facilities of the airport were known as '''Guatemala City Air Base'''. Flying units assigned to the airport were: * [[51st Fighter Squadron]] (Detachment) ([[32d Air Operations Group|32d Fighter Group]]), 2 January 1942 – 9 March 1943, (P-40 Warhawk) * [[74th Bombardment Squadron]] ([[40th Air Expeditionary Wing|40th]], [[6th Air Mobility Wing|6th Bombardment Groups]]), 9 January 1942 – 7 April 1944 (B-18 Bolo, B-17 Flying Fortress) * [[44th Bombardment Squadron]] ([[40th Air Expeditionary Wing|40th Bombardment Group]]) 6 July 1942 – 4 June 1943, (B-18 Bolo) Detachments from the airfield operated intermittently from [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San Jose Airport]], [[San José, Costa Rica]], and [[Puerto San José]], [[Guatemala]] from 1942 though 1944. After the war ended, a small number of Americans remained at the airport performing training duties with the Guatemalan Air Force and also operating a weather station (MATS 6th Weather Squadron). United States personnel were restricted to base during the [[Guatemalan revolution]] following the death of [[Francisco Javier Arana|Colonel Francisco Xavier Arana]] on 18 July 1949. Some artillery shells landed on the base during the violence. The facility was closed on 28 July 1949 and turned over to Guatemalan authorities. The airport was closed for six months in [[2020 in Guatemala|2020]], from March to September, in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Guatemala cumple seis meses de pandemia con la cifra más alta de muertes del istmo |url=https://www.msn.com/es-mx/noticias/internacional/guatemala-cumple-seis-meses-de-pandemia-con-la-cifra-m%C3%A1s-alta-de-muertes-del-istmo/ar-BB18ZwJq?ocid=msedgntp |accessdate=Sep 13, 2020 |work=www.msn.com |agency=EFE}}</ref> ==Airlines and destinations== ===Passenger=== [[File:MGGT1.jpg|thumb|Check-in counters at the airport.]] [[File:MGGT5.jpg|thumb|Main corridor at the airport.]] [[File:MGGT11.jpg|thumb|Waiting room at the airport.]] {{Airport destination list | [[Aeroméxico]] | [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City]] | [[American Airlines]] | [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]<br>'''Seasonal:''' [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]] | [[ARM Aviación]] | [[Mundo Maya International Airport|Flores]], [[Huehuetenango Airport|Huehuetenango]] <br>'''Charter:''' [[Copán Ruinas Airport|Copán]], [[Palenque International Airport|Palenque]], [[Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport|Roatan]] | [[Avianca]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]] | [[Avianca Costa Rica]] | [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]] | [[Avianca El Salvador]] | [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[El Salvador International Airport|San Salvador]] | [[Avianca Guatemala]] | [[Mundo Maya International Airport|Flores]], [[Augusto C. Sandino International Airport|Managua]], [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]] | [[Avianca Honduras]] | [[Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport|San Pedro Sula]] | [[Copa Airlines]] | [[Augusto C. Sandino International Airport|Managua]], [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City]], [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]] | [[Copa Airlines Colombia]] | [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City]] | [[Delta Air Lines]] | [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] | [Eastern Airlines]] | [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK](begins November 28 2020)<ref>https://www.facebook.com/fotografosdeaviacion/photos/a.1272423226116397/5330199280338751/</ref> | [[Frontier Airlines]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] (begins April 12, 2021), [[Ontario International Airport|Ontario]] (TBD) | [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]] | [[Madrid–Barajas Airport|Madrid]] | [[Interjet]] | [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City]] (suspended)<ref name=COVIDAIJ>{{cite web|url=http://enelaire.mx/interjet-suspende-vuelos-internacionales/|title=Interjet suspends international flights|language=Spanish|website=EnElAire|date=March 2020|accessdate=March 22, 2020}}</ref> | [[JetBlue]] | [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]] (begins April 28, 2021) | [[Spirit Airlines]] | [[Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]], [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]] | {{nowrap|[[Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos]]}} | [[Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport|Belize City]], [[Cancún International Airport|Cancún]], [[Mundo Maya International Airport|Flores]], [[Puerto Barrios Airport|Puerto Barrios]], [[Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport|Roatán]], [[Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport|San Pedro Sula]], [[El Salvador International Airport|San Salvador]], [[Toncontín International Airport|Tegucigalpa]] | [[Tropic Air]] | [[Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport|Belize City]] | [[United Airlines]] | [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]]<br> '''Seasonal:''' [[Washington Dulles International Airport|Washington–Dulles]] | [[Volaris]] | [[Cancún International Airport|Cancún]] (resumes November 23, 2020)<ref name=COVIDVOI2 /> | [[Volaris Costa Rica]] | [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City]], [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]], [[El Salvador International Airport|San Salvador]] (all resume November 23, 2020)<ref name=COVIDVOI2>{{cite web|url=https://www.estrategiaynegocios.net/empresasymanagement/1416176-330/volaris-volver%C3%A1-a-volar-en-centroam%C3%A9rica|title=Volaris will fly again in Central America|language=Spanish|website=estrategiaynegocios.net|date=October 2020|accessdate=October 19, 2020}}</ref> }} ===Cargo=== {{Airport destination list | [[Air Cargo Global]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] | 21 Air | [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]] | [[Atlas Air]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] | [[AeroUnion]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] | [[Aerosucre]] | [[Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado|Bogota]] | [[Avianca Cargo]] | [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogota]] | [[Cargolux]] | [[Luxembourg – Findel Airport|Luxembourg]] | [[DHL Aviation]] | [[Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport|Guadalajara]], [[Bahías de Huatulco International Airport|Huatulco]], [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Tocumen International Airport|Panama City]], [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]], [[Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport|San Pedro Sula]], [[El Salvador International Airport|San Salvador]], [[Toncontín International Airport|Tegucigalpa]] | [[FedEx Express]] | [[Memphis International Airport|Memphis]] | [[KLM Cargo]] | [[Amsterdam Airport|Amsterdam]], [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]] | [[LATAM Cargo Chile]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] | [[LATAM Cargo Colombia]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] | [[Martinair]] | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] | [[Mas Air]] | [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City]] | [[UPS Airlines]] | [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]] }} ==Statistics== In 2016, the airport handled 2,759,347 passengers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/negocios/dos-aerolineas-ofreceran-vuelos-desde-guatemala-hacia-puerto-barrios-por-110-dolares-138720 |title=Dos aerolíneas ofrecerán vuelos desde Guatemala hacia Puerto Barrios por 110 dólares |work=[[El Diario de Hoy]] |date=23 January 2017 |accessdate=5 February 2017 |language=Spanish |trans-title=Two airlines will offer flights from Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios for $110 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104009/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/negocios/dos-aerolineas-ofreceran-vuelos-desde-guatemala-hacia-puerto-barrios-por-110-dolares-138720 |archivedate=6 February 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> ==Accidents and incidents== * On 1 March 1980, a [[Douglas C-47]] of the [[Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca]] was damaged beyond repair near La Aurora.<ref name=ASN010380>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800301-1 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |accessdate=24 July 2010}}</ref> * On 6 April 1993, [[TACA Airlines]] Flight 510, a [[Boeing 767]], ran off the end of Runway 19 (now Runway 20) after landing. A passenger on board filmed the landing, which showed a runway with standing water from a tropical storm which had just passed over. A great amount of runway had passed under the plane before touchdown and the pilot forced the landing. In spite of thrust reversers used, the plane could not slow down in time, began to shudder from excessive wheel-braking, the captain made a last second decision to steer the airplane to the left of the runway (avoiding a big ditch at the end of the runway), went down an embankment and stopped into some structures. Surprisingly, there were no fatalities and the only injured people were 3 non-passengers. The aircraft was written off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19930406-1|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 767-2S1ER N767TA Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref> *On 28 April 1995, Faucett Flight 705, a Douglas DC-8 leased by [[Million Air|Millon Air]], overshot the runway and crashed into several houses. All three crew members onboard survived, but 6 people on the ground were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19950428-2|title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-54F N43UA Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref> *On 21 December 1999, [[Cubana de Aviación Flight 1216]], a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (leased to Cubana by AOM French Airlines) overshot runway 19 during landing and crashed into a residential area. 16 of the 314 people on board were killed, along with two people on the ground.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19991221-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 F-GTDI Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport (GUA)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref> * On 4 June 2018, the airport had to close due to the [[2018 Volcán de Fuego eruption]]. ==References== {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}} {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://dgac.gob.gt/ Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil] {{in lang|es}} {{Portalbar|Guatemala|Aviation|World War II}} {{Guatemala City}} {{Airports in Guatemala}} {{USAAF 6th Air Force World War II}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Airports in Guatemala]] [[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces]] [[Category:Guatemala Department]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Guatemala City]]'