Rio Grande Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto de Río Grande) is a public airport serving the city of Río Grande, the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. The facility is identified by the IATA code RGA and the ICAO code SAWE. It is operated by the Argentine airport authority and provides scheduled domestic air service within Argentina.
Location and Facilities
- City served: Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Geographic coordinates: approximately 53°46′S 67°23′W (exact coordinates may vary by source)
- Elevation: around 66 feet (20 m) above sea level (reported values differ among references)
The airport has a single runway:
| Runway | Orientation | Surface | Length* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25 | Approx. 070°/250° | Asphalt | Approximately 2 300 m (7 546 ft) |
*Exact runway length is subject to verification from official aeronautical publications.
Airlines and Destinations
Scheduled passenger service is limited, primarily connecting Río Grande with Buenos Aires. Historically, Aerolíneas Argentinas has operated these flights, though service frequency may vary seasonally.
Passenger Statistics
Annual passenger numbers are relatively low, reflecting the airport’s role as a regional hub for a sparsely populated area. Precise traffic figures are not consistently reported in publicly available sources.
History
The airport was constructed to improve connectivity for the southernmost Argentine communities and to support tourism and regional economic development. Detailed historical milestones, such as the year of inauguration or major upgrades, are not widely documented in accessible encyclopedic references.
Ground Access
The airport is situated close to the city center, with road links connecting it to major thoroughfares in Río Grande. Public transport options and taxi services are available for passengers traveling to and from the terminal.
References
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) code directory
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) location indicators
- Argentine civil aviation authority publications (where available)
Note: Specific technical data (e.g., runway dimensions, elevation) may vary among sources. When precise, officially verified figures are unavailable, the information provided reflects the most commonly reported values in publicly accessible aviation references.
