Lois Larson
Viru Viru International Airport is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is the largest airport in Bolivia and serves as a hub for domestic, regional, and international flights. The airport is capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400 and offers intercontinental services to destinations like Miami and Madrid. With a focus on Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación, Viru Viru International Airport is a vital gateway for travellers visiting Bolivia and those transiting through South America.
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Viru Viru International Airport is in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Viru Viru International Airport is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is Bolivia's largest international airport, serving as the main gateway for international flights to and from the country. The airport serves Bolivia's biggest city and commercial centre, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and is a hub for the country's largest airline, Boliviana de Aviación.
Viru Viru International Airport handles domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. It has an extensive domestic and regional network, with connections to most major Latin American destinations. Intercontinental services are also offered, with American Airlines and Air Europa providing flights to Miami and Madrid via Caracas, respectively.
The airport is operated by SABSA and was formerly run by a consortium between Spain's abertis and AENA. In February 2013, it was nationalised by Bolivian President Evo Morales, who alleged that the previous operators had underinvested in the airport. The Bolivian government then planned to invest USD125 million in airport upgrades by the third quarter of 2014.
Viru Viru International Airport is the only airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It was conceived in 1965 by General René Barrientos, former president of Bolivia, as an intercontinental airport. Construction began soon after and was completed in 1983, replacing the obsolete El Trompillo Airport. The airport is capable of accommodating widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400.
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It is Bolivia's largest international airport
Viru Viru International Airport (IATA: VVI, ICAO: SLVR) is indeed Bolivia's largest international airport. It is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia's largest city and commercial centre. The airport was conceived in 1965 by General René Barrientos, former president of Bolivia, with the intention of creating an intercontinental airport. Construction began shortly after and was completed in 1983, replacing the obsolete El Trompillo Airport.
Viru Viru International Airport handles domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. It serves as a focus city for Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación, which has a total of 21 flight destinations and carried 4.3 million passengers in 2022. The airport is also capable of handling widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400.
The airport is operated by the state-owned agency Navegación Aérea y Aeropuertos Bolivianos (NAABOL), which manages all airports in Bolivia. Viru Viru is the busiest airport in Bolivia, with about 186 domestic and 60 international flights per week. It is the only airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and it serves as a hub for both international and regional travel, with connections to most major Latin American destinations.
The name "Viru Viru" originates from the indigenous Guarani language spoken in the area and likely refers to a distinctive geographical feature. Some researchers claim that the correct spelling of the term could be "Birubiru", meaning "pampa, plain", which was the name of the geographical area where the airport was built.
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The airport serves domestic, regional, and international flights
Viru Viru International Airport, located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, serves as the country's largest international airport. It handles domestic, regional, and international flights, catering to a wide range of destinations.
The airport's domestic and regional network is extensive, providing flights within Bolivia and connections to major Latin American destinations. This includes most large cities in the region. As such, it serves as a focus city for Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación.
Internationally, Viru Viru International Airport offers intercontinental services to North America, South America, and Europe. American Airlines provides flights to Miami via Caracas, while Air Europa connects passengers to Madrid via the Venezuelan capital. These international services make Viru Viru a significant gateway for international flights to and from Bolivia.
The airport is equipped to accommodate widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-400, enabling efficient long-haul operations. This infrastructure supports the airport's ability to facilitate international travel alongside its domestic and regional services.
Viru Viru International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia's largest city and commercial centre, to the rest of the world. Its diverse flight offerings ensure convenient travel options for both locals and visitors alike.
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It replaced El Trompillo Airport, which became obsolete
Viru Viru International Airport is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is the largest international airport in the country and serves as a hub for domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. The airport was conceived in 1965 by General René Barrientos, former president of Bolivia, who wanted to create an intercontinental airport in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Construction of the airport began soon after and was completed in 1983.
Upon its inauguration, Viru Viru International Airport replaced the El Trompillo Airport, which had become obsolete. El Trompillo Airport was likely located in the same city, as there is only one airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. El Trompillo Airport may have lacked the capacity or infrastructure to handle the increasing air traffic to and from Bolivia, particularly as wider-body aircraft were introduced, such as the Boeing 747-400, which Viru Viru International Airport is capable of accommodating.
The new airport, Viru Viru, immediately became a main gateway for international flights. Its role as a focus city for Bolivia's biggest airline, Boliviana de Aviación, further contributed to the shift from El Trompillo. Additionally, Viru Viru's extensive domestic and regional network, with connections to most major Latin American destinations, solidified its position as the primary airport.
The obsolescence of El Trompillo Airport can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, as air travel demands and standards evolved, the infrastructure and capabilities of El Trompillo may have become outdated. The newer airport was purpose-built to accommodate intercontinental flights and wider-body aircraft, surpassing the capabilities of El Trompillo in terms of runway length, terminal size, and modern amenities. Secondly, the growth of Santa Cruz de la Sierra as Bolivia's largest city and commercial centre may have outpaced the capacity of El Trompillo Airport. This growth in passenger traffic, cargo volume, and flight frequency would have necessitated a larger and more modern airport to avoid congestion and maintain efficient operations.
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The airport is operated by SABSA
Viru Viru International Airport (IATA: VVI, ICAO: SLVR) is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. It is the country's largest international airport, serving as a hub for domestic, regional, and international flights from Bolivia, North America, South America, and Europe. The airport was conceived in 1965 by former Bolivian President General René Barrientos, with the aim of establishing an intercontinental airport in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Construction commenced soon after and was completed in 1983, replacing the outdated El Trompillo Airport. Upon its inauguration, Viru Viru became a prominent gateway for international travel.
SABSA manages Viru Viru International Airport's operations, ensuring the efficient handling of flights and passenger traffic. They are responsible for maintaining the airport's infrastructure, including its runways, terminals, and other facilities. SABSA also coordinates with airlines operating at the airport, such as Boliviana de Aviación, for which Viru Viru serves as a focus city. The airport can accommodate widebody aircraft like the Boeing 747-400, enabling intercontinental services provided by airlines such as American Airlines and Air Europa.
As the operator, SABSA also oversees the airport's security, customs, and immigration procedures, adhering to international standards and regulations. They work closely with local authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of passengers, staff, and aircraft. Additionally, SABSA manages the airport's emergency response plans and protocols, including any necessary training and drills to prepare for potential incidents or crises.
Furthermore, SABSA plays a crucial role in the airport's commercial development and revenue generation. They manage leasing agreements with airlines and concession contracts with retailers, restaurants, and other commercial establishments within the airport. SABSA also strives to enhance the overall passenger experience by providing amenities and services that meet the needs of travellers, such as lounges, shopping options, and transportation services to and from the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Viru Viru International Airport is located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
The airport code for Viru Viru International Airport is VVI.
The phone number for Viru Viru International Airport is 181 / 591-3-3385000.
