La Paz Airport: Does It Exist And Where?

La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is served by the La Paz International Airport. The airport is located near the Gulf of California and is one of the busiest in Mexico. It offers non-stop flights to many major cities in Mexico and several airports in Northwestern Mexico. La Paz, Bolivia, on the other hand, is served by El Alto International Airport, which is located in the city of El Alto, about 13 kilometres (8 miles) west of La Paz. El Alto is the highest international airport in the world in terms of elevation and has been in operation since the first half of the 20th century.

La Paz International Airport, Mexico

La Paz International Airport (IATA: LAP, ICAO: MMLP) is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, along the western shore of the Gulf of California. The airport is officially named Aeropuerto Internacional Manuel Márquez de León, after a Mexican politician, military leader, and intellectual from the state. It is owned and operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

The airport serves as the primary gateway to the city of La Paz and is a hub for the regional airline Calafia Airlines. It offers nonstop flights to major cities in Mexico, particularly in Northwestern Mexico, and plays a significant role in connecting the Baja California Peninsula to mainland Mexican states. Internationally, the airport offers flights to the United States, London, England, and three other countries, serving as one of the busiest airports in Mexico.

La Paz International Airport features a main runway (18/36) that is 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) long. The passenger terminal caters to both domestic and international flights, offering typical airport services such as check-in counters, VIP lounges, parking, car rentals, taxi stands, and a departure concourse with three gates. The apron can accommodate nine narrow-body aircraft and supports logistics and courier companies.

In addition to commercial aviation, the airport accommodates military facilities for the Mexican Army and Navy. It is home to Air Force Base No. 9 (BAM-9) and La Paz Naval Air Base, which includes hangars, aircraft stands, and facilities for military personnel. The airport also supports tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

El Alto International Airport, Bolivia

El Alto International Airport, located in the city of El Alto, serves La Paz, Bolivia. It is situated 13 kilometres (8 miles) west of La Paz and is the highest international airport in the world, sitting at 4,061.5 metres (13,325 ft) above sea level. The airport has been operational since the first half of the 20th century but underwent modernisation in the 1960s, including the extension of its runway and the construction of a new passenger terminal. It was inaugurated under the name Aeropuerto Internacional El Alto in 1965. Prior to 1999, the airport was officially named John F. Kennedy (JFK), although this name was never used in practice. In 1999, the airport was renamed El Alto International Airport.

El Alto International Airport has two runways. The main runway, "10R/28L", is 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) long and has a concrete surface, accommodating large aircraft operations at high altitudes. The second runway, "10L/28R", runs parallel to the main runway and has a grass surface. The airport is equipped with modern navigation systems, including VOR/DME, DVOR/DME, and ILS CAT I approach systems.

The high elevation of El Alto International Airport has made it an ideal location for aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Bombardier, and Boeing to test high-altitude takeoff and landing capabilities. Modern aircraft like the Airbus A350 XWB, Airbus A330neo, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner have utilised the airport for flight tests during their certification processes. However, the thin air at this altitude restricts wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330 from operating at full capacity from El Alto International Airport. Consequently, much of the international air traffic to and from Bolivia is routed through Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which is at a lower elevation.

The airport has experienced several notable incidents and accidents. In 1970, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft was damaged beyond repair, and in 1971, a Douglas C-47 crashed shortly after takeoff. In 1972, a Douglas C-47A aircraft experienced a crash on takeoff, but all four passengers survived. Tragically, in 1974, a C-141 Starlifter aircraft impacted a mountain during its approach, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members. Another incident in 1976 involving a Douglas C-47 aircraft ended in a landing accident, but fortunately, all four individuals on board survived.

Airlines and destinations

La Paz International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional Manuel Márquez de León, is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is situated along the western shore of the Gulf of California. The airport serves as the primary gateway to the city of La Paz and is a hub for the regional airline Calafia Airlines. It also accommodates military facilities for the Mexican Army and Navy, supporting various tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

The airport offers nonstop flights to major cities in Mexico, particularly in Northwestern Mexico, and plays a significant role in connecting the Baja California Peninsula to the Mexican mainland. In 2022, the airport handled over a million passengers for the first time, with traffic increasing to 1,206,000 passengers in 2024. The airport has a main runway that is 2,500 metres long and a passenger terminal that provides typical regional airport services, including check-in counters, VIP lounges, parking areas, car rental services, taxi stands, and a departure concourse with three gates.

The airport offers flights to three different countries and nearly 40 international cities. It serves as a connecting point to other destinations in Mexico, with Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana being popular routes. Internationally, Los Angeles is the only destination in the United States with direct flights from La Paz, operated by Alaska Airlines. London, England, is another international destination served by the airport.

Several airlines operate flights from La Paz, including VivaAerobus, Volaris, Alaska, Aeroméxico, Calafia Airlines, TAR, American Airlines, and Delta. The airport is a focus city for Calafia Airlines and previously served as the hub for Aero California until its bankruptcy in 2006.

Transport to and from the airport

La Paz International Airport (IATA: LAP, ICAO: MMLP) is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, along the western shore of the Gulf of California. It is the primary air traffic gateway to the city of La Paz and offers nonstop flights to major cities in Mexico and airports in Northwestern Mexico. The airport is one of the busiest in Mexico, serving as a hub for domestic and international flights.

There are various transport options available for travelling to and from the La Paz International Airport. Here are some of the most common choices:

• Taxi: Taking a taxi is the fastest and most convenient option. Official and authorised taxi services are readily available 24/7 just outside the main terminal hall. A taxi ride to the city centre typically costs around €22 (BOB 160) and takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
• Bus: The bus is the most cost-effective option, with a one-way ticket costing €0.70 (BOB 5.00). However, it can be stressful if you have heavy luggage or are travelling with children, as the bus tends to fill up quickly. The journey to the city centre takes about 50 minutes, excluding waiting times. Bus 212 is the cheapest option for this route.
• Shuttle: Sitio Triangulo Verde AC operates a shuttle service from the airport to the city of La Paz on demand. Tickets for the shuttle cost $13, and the journey takes approximately 10 minutes.
• Car Rental: Car rental services are available at the airport if you prefer to drive yourself.
• Connecting Flights: For travellers continuing their journey to other destinations, the airport offers connecting flights to various locations within Mexico and internationally, including the United States, London, England, and several cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.

Airport facilities and services

La Paz has two airports: El Alto International Airport in Bolivia, and La Paz International Airport in Mexico.

El Alto International Airport (La Paz, Bolivia)

El Alto International Airport is the joint-highest airport in the world. It is located in El Alto, a city adjacent to La Paz. The airport is approximately 17km from the city of La Paz.

The airport features an information desk in the main terminal building, as well as ATMs, money exchange services, cafes, restaurants, shops, and luggage storage facilities. There are also medical/first aid services available. Basic business services are available in the two VIP lounges, and the airport provides disabled facilities. An open-air car park is located outside the terminal building.

La Paz International Airport (La Paz, Mexico)

La Paz International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional Manuel Márquez de León, is located on the western shore of the Gulf of California. It is one of the busiest airports in Mexico, serving as the primary gateway to the city of La Paz. The airport has a terminal for commercial aviation across two floors, with check-in counters, a baggage claim hall, and waiting rooms.

The airport offers typical services, including check-in counters, VIP lounges, parking areas, car rental services, taxi stands, and a departure concourse with three gates. It also accommodates military facilities for the Mexican Army and Navy, as well as a separate terminal for general and executive aviation.

Frequently asked questions