Matecaña International Airport, Colombian airport in Pereira in the departamento of Risaralda
Matecaña International Airport is a commercial airport serving Pereira, Colombia, with a main terminal building that has four floors and capacity for both domestic and international flights. The facility features check-in counters, waiting areas, retail shops, restaurants, and separate security zones for different flight types.
The airport was constructed between 1944 and 1947, with its first official flight taking place on July 24, 1947. Major upgrades followed over the decades, including the addition of jet bridges in 1991 and an extended runway in 2014 to accommodate larger aircraft.
The name Matecaña comes from the local indigenous language and refers to the area. The airport serves as a meeting point where people from the region gather to begin journeys or welcome family and friends returning home.
Taxis are readily available at the terminal exit and offer fair rates to downtown Pereira and nearby destinations. The airport is straightforward to navigate, so plan to arrive a few minutes early for security checks, and consider bringing snacks since food inside the terminal tends to be pricier.
The runway sits above a deep ravine with steep terrain dropping away on all sides, making every takeoff and landing feel slightly adventurous. This geological feature is what makes landings and departures at this airport distinctive compared to most other facilities.
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