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Colombia's second-busiest airport, gateway to the City of Eternal Spring.
Opened
1985
Location
Rionegro (serving Medellín), Colombia
José María Córdova International Airport (IATA: MDE, ICAO: SKRG) is the primary commercial airport serving Medellín, Colombia, and the Antioquia region. It is named after Colombian independence hero General José María Córdova and is the second-busiest airport in Colombia by passenger traffic, after El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
The airport is located in the municipality of Rionegro, in the Aburrá Valley highlands, approximately 35 kilometers east of central Medellín at an elevation of about 2,095 meters (6,873 feet) above sea level. This high-altitude setting and cooler temperatures distinguish it from many other major Latin American airports.
The facility underwent significant expansions in the 2000s and 2010s to accommodate growing passenger demand driven by Colombia's booming tourism sector and the dramatic transformation of Medellín's international image. It serves numerous domestic routes across Colombia as well as international destinations in North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Terminals
The airport operates a single integrated terminal building with separate domestic and international concourses serving both types of traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport to Medellín includes bus services, shared taxis (colectivos), and private taxis and ride-hailing apps, with the journey to the city center taking approximately 45 to 60 minutes via the Las Palmas highway or the tunnel road.
Airlines here
Major carriers operating at MDE include Avianca (which uses it as a secondary hub), LATAM Colombia, Wingo, JetBlue, American Airlines, and Copa Airlines.
Notable facts
- ›Located at approximately 2,095 meters (6,873 ft) above sea level in the municipality of Rionegro.
- ›Situated about 35 km east of Medellín city center, requiring a significant ground transfer.
- ›Named after Colombian independence general José María Córdova, a hero of the Battle of Ayacucho.
- ›Medellín also has a secondary airport, Olaya Herrera (EOH), used for regional and domestic flights.
- ›Passenger volumes have grown substantially as Medellín has become a major tourism and business destination.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
