Pereira’s Matecaña Airport Reopens After Earthquake, but Schedules Stay Thin

Matecaña Airport in Colombia’s coffee region has reopened following an earthquake, but operations remain limited. The August 10 quake caused structural damage to the terminal and runway, leading to a closure that lasted 16 days beyond the initial estimate of one to two weeks. LATAM, the sole major carrier serving the airport, has resumed limited service with a reduced schedule - two daily flights from Bogotá and one from Medellín, amounting to 21 weekly services.

This represents a 40 percent reduction in capacity compared to pre-earthquake operations. Other airlines, including Avianca and Ultra Air, have not yet announced when they will resume service. The terminal building is now open for passenger use, but some areas remain under repair, leading to temporary signage and construction noise.

Baggage handling may be slower due to repairs to the secondary system. Travelers should plan for possible delays and allow extra time for connections to ground transport. Ground transport from the airport to Pereira city center - approximately 7 kilometers - is functioning as normal. Alternatives for those unable to secure a flight to Matecaña include Armenia’s El Edén airport, about 45 minutes away with daily Avianca flights from Bogotá, and Manizales’s La Nubia, 90 minutes away but with limited service due to its mountain location.

The overland route from Bogotá to Pereira, about 270 kilometers, typically takes six hours by bus or four hours by car, but travelers should be aware of landslide risks in the Quindío Pass after heavy rain.