Temuco's historic airport serving Chile's Araucanía region.
Location
Temuco, Chile
Maquehue Airport (IATA: PZS, ICAO: SCTC) is a civilian and military airport located in Temuco, the capital of Chile's Araucanía Region. Situated approximately 6 kilometers south of the city center, it has historically served as the primary air gateway to the region.
The airport shares its facilities with the Chilean Air Force's Base Aérea Maquehue, reflecting its dual civil-military character. Due to capacity and operational limitations, Temuco's air traffic has been gradually transitioning to the newer La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), located outside Temuco in Freire, which opened in 2013 and has increasingly taken over commercial operations.
Maquehue Airport's role in scheduled commercial aviation has diminished significantly since La Araucanía Airport began operations, though it retains importance for general aviation, military, and some regional activities.
Terminals
The airport has a modest single terminal structure designed for limited domestic passenger operations.
Getting to & from
The airport is accessible by road approximately 6 kilometers from Temuco's city center, with taxi and private vehicle options available.
Airlines here
Commercial scheduled service has largely shifted to La Araucanía Airport, with Maquehue primarily supporting general aviation rather than major airline hubs.
Notable facts
- ›Maquehue Airport is co-located with Chile's Air Force Base Aérea Maquehue, giving it a dual civil-military function.
- ›La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), opened in 2013, has largely replaced Maquehue for scheduled commercial airline services.
- ›The airport is situated roughly 6 km south of downtown Temuco.
- ›Temuco is the largest city in Patagonian Chile and serves as the gateway to the Lake District.
- ›The IATA code PZS is no longer actively used for commercial scheduled flights due to the transition to ZCO.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
