Owais Crawford
Medellin, Colombia, is served by two airports: the main airport, Medellin Airport (MDE), officially known as José María Córdova International Airport, and the smaller Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). Medellin Airport, located in Rionegro, opened in 1985 and is the second busiest airport in Colombia, serving more than 5 million international passengers in 2023. It offers a range of amenities for travellers, including a VIP airport lounge. Olaya Herrera Airport, on the other hand, is located within Medellin itself and primarily caters to domestic flights and regional travel within Colombia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | José María Córdova International Airport |
| Airport Code | MDE |
| Location | Rionegro |
| Distance from Medellin | 20 kilometres (12 mi) or a 30-45 minute drive |
| Year of Opening | 1985 |
| Number of Gates | 17 (10 domestic and 7 international) |
| Amenities | Restaurants, shops, duty-free shop, banks, money exchange, car rental services, VIP lounges |
| Airlines | Avianca, AA, ANA, Jet Blue, LATAM, Spirit Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, Viva Air Colombia |
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What You'll Learn
Medellin Airport (MDE)
Medellin Airport, also known as José María Córdova International Airport (IATA: MDE, ICAO: SKRG), is located in the city of Rionegro, 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Medellin, Colombia. It is the second busiest airport in Colombia, serving the Medellin Metropolitan Area and the Antioquia Department. The airport is named after José María Córdova, a Colombian army general who was a native of Rionegro.
Medellin Airport officially opened on August 29, 1985, and has since undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing passenger traffic. In 2016, the airport handled 7,376,160 passengers, and in 2017, it served 6,892,104 passengers. In 2023, the airport received more than 5 million international passengers, making it the second-largest airport in Colombia in terms of infrastructure and passenger service.
The airport features a dome-shaped roof and has two stories. It has 17 gates, including 10 domestic and 7 international gates, with four gates being of mixed use. Medellin Airport offers a range of amenities for travellers, including restaurants, shops, banks, money exchange services, and car rental services. There is also a VIP airport lounge (Harmony Lounge) and several other VIP lounges operated by the Global Lounge Network. Outside the main building, there is a parking lot and garage, including a designated area for motorcycles.
Medellin Airport serves all major international and some minor domestic routes for the Medellin metro area. It is a hub for several airlines, including Avianca, which has a VIP room at the airport. The airport also serves as the main base for the cargo operator Avianca Cargo, which operates flights to countries in South, Central, and North America. In addition to Avianca, airlines such as AA, ANA, Jet Blue, LATAM, Spirit Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and United Airlines offer direct flights to Medellin Airport from various international destinations.
Medellin Airport has a history of tragic accidents, including the SAM Colombia Flight 501 crash in 1993, which killed all 132 people on board. In 1996 and 1998, Antonov An-32B aircraft crashed during the approach to the runway, resulting in fatalities. Despite these incidents, the airport continues to operate with a focus on safety and has implemented various air navigation aids to enhance navigation and landing procedures in bad weather conditions.
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Jose Maria Cordoba Airport
Medellin, Colombia, has two airports, one of which is the Jose Maria Cordoba International Airport (MDE). The airport is located in the city of Rionegro, 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Medellin, and is the second largest airport in Colombia in terms of infrastructure and passenger service. It serves the Medellin Metropolitan Area and is the most important airport in the Antioquia Department. The airport is about a 30-minute drive from the city of Medellin, although a new highway opened in 2019 that cut travel time to just 20 minutes.
The airport was opened on 29 August 1985 and has a dome-shaped roof with two stories. It has 17 gates: 10 domestic and 7 international, with four gates being of mixed use. The airport offers a range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, a duty-free shop, banks, money exchange, car rentals, and VIP lounges. The cargo operator Avianca Cargo has its main base at the airport and operates flights to countries in South, Central, and North America.
In terms of safety, the airport is equipped with air navigation aids such as VOR, NDB, and ILS, which make navigation and landings safer during bad weather conditions. The runway is also used by the nearby Colombian Air Force military base in Rionegro, Air Combat Command No. 5 (CACOM 5).
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Location and travel time
Medellin, Colombia, has two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). José María Córdova International Airport is the main airport and is located in the city of Rionegro, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Medellin. It is the second largest airport in Colombia and the second busiest, receiving over 5 million international passengers in 2023. The airport is accessible from Medellin via a highway that reduces travel time to around 20 to 30 minutes.
Olaya Herrera Airport, on the other hand, is located within Medellin itself. It primarily caters to domestic flights and regional travel within Colombia. This airport is a crucial hub for domestic flights and serves the Medellin area exclusively.
José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) serves all major international and some minor domestic routes for the Medellin metropolitan area. It is a modern airport with a wide range of services and amenities, including restaurants, shops, banks, money exchange services, car rentals, and VIP lounges. The airport has 17 gates: 10 domestic and 7 international, with four gates being of mixed use. It first opened on August 29, 1985, and has been a significant hub for both passenger and cargo movement since its opening.
Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), while smaller, is still an important airport for regional connectivity. It enhances accessibility for patients and medical tourism, as Medellin is known for its advanced medical treatments and specialists. This airport is preferred for domestic flights out of Medellin due to its convenient location.
When travelling to Medellin, Colombia, it is important to know which airport you will be using. José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is the main gateway for international travellers, while Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) caters mostly to domestic flights and regional travel within Colombia. Both airports play a crucial role in ensuring smooth and accessible travel to and from Medellin.
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Airlines and flights
Medellín's airport is known as José María Córdova International Airport (IATA: MDE, ICAO: SKRG). It is located in the city of Rionegro, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Medellín. The airport is named after José María Córdova, a Colombian army general who was a native of Rionegro. José María Córdova International Airport is the second-largest airport in Colombia and the second busiest, receiving over 7 million passengers in 2016 and over 5 million international passengers in 2023.
The airport serves all major international and some minor domestic routes for the Medellín metropolitan area. It has 17 gates: 10 domestic and 7 international, with four gates being of mixed use. The airport offers various amenities for travellers, including restaurants, shops, duty-free shopping, banks, money exchange, car rentals, and VIP lounges.
Several airlines offer direct flights to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, including:
- Avianca
- American Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- ANA
These airlines provide convenient connections from various cities in the United States, such as Washington, D.C., Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles, making it easily accessible for international travellers.
In addition to the international airport, Medellín also has a smaller, in-town airport called Olaya Herrera Airport, which serves the city with domestic flights within Colombia. Olaya Herrera Airport is a significant hub for domestic flights and is the preferred option for those travelling domestically out of Medellín.
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Amenities and services
Medellin, Colombia, has two airports: the main airport, Medellin Airport (MDE), and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). Medellin Airport, also known as José María Córdova International Airport, is located in the city of Rionegro, 20 kilometres southeast of Medellin. It is the second-largest airport in Colombia and the second busiest, receiving more than 5 million international passengers in 2023. Olaya Herrera Airport, on the other hand, is situated within Medellin itself and primarily caters to domestic flights and regional travel within Colombia.
Medellin Airport offers a wide range of amenities and services for travellers. Here is a detailed list of what you can expect:
Transportation Services
Medellin Airport provides a variety of transportation options to and from the airport. These include private car transfers, as well as private minibuses that can accommodate larger groups of up to 20 passengers. Car rentals are also available, starting at $7 USD per day for weekly rentals with unlimited mileage.
Dining Options
The airport has numerous dining options to suit different preferences and needs. From cafes offering quick bites to restaurants serving full meals, travellers can find a variety of eateries within the airport premises. There is also a 24-hour deli for those looking for a late-night snack or a quick meal on the go.
Shopping
Medellin Airport offers a range of shopping options, including duty-free shops and regular shops selling a variety of items such as clothes, souvenirs, liquor, and magazines. The airport also has banks and currency exchange services for travellers' convenience.
Lounges
For added comfort while waiting for your flight, Medellin Airport has several lounges that can be accessed by paying at the door or through lounge membership programs. The airport also has a VIP airport lounge called the Harmony Lounge.
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, allowing travellers to stay connected during their time in the airport.
Gardens
Medellin Airport offers dedicated garden areas on the first and second floors, providing a peaceful and relaxing environment for travellers to enjoy.
Information Desk and Medical Services
The airport has an information desk located on the second floor in the main hall, where travellers can seek assistance and find their way around the airport. Additionally, a First Aid station and a pharmacy (Pasteur Farmacia) are available to address any medical needs.
Other Services
Medellin Airport also provides other services such as ATMs, baggage trolleys, travel agencies, and SIM card purchases.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Medellin is called José María Córdova International Airport, also known as Medellin International Airport or Aeropuerto de Medellín José María Córdova. Its airport code is MDE.
The airport is located in the city of Rionegro, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Medellin. It is approximately a 30-45 minute drive from the city centre of Medellin.
Airlines that operate at the airport include Avianca, AA, ANA, Jet Blue, LATAM, Spirit Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, and Viva Air Colombia (until it ceased operations in February 2023).
