| Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: CPX – ICAO: TJCP – FAA LID: CPX | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | Puerto Rico Ports Authority | ||
| Operator | Puerto Rico Ports Authority | ||
| Serves | Culebra, Puerto Rico | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 49 ft / 15 m | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Map | |||
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TJCP
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| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 13/31 | 2,600 | 792 | Asphalt |
| Statistics (1998) | |||
| Aircraft operations | 36,322 | ||
| Passenger Movement | 75,964 (2,008) | ||
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] 2008 passengers from airport[2] |
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Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport (IATA: CPX, ICAO: TJCP, FAA LID: CPX) is a public airport located on the island of Culebra in Puerto Rico. It is owned by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.[1]
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The airport of Culebra was originally built as a military airport by the United States Marine Corps, opening in 1957. In 1965, the government of Puerto Rico started flying civilians from San Juan to the island with a Legislative compensation.
After the Navy-Culebra protests, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority started administering the civilian flight operations in Culebra, inaugurating the first passenger terminal in October 24, 1976. The airport and its 80 acres were officially transferred to the Ports Authority in 1980.
A new passenger terminal was inaugurated in 1994, and its name was changed to Benjamín Rivera Noriega, in honor of a pilot from Ciales. He became a community leader recognized by his service to the residents of Culebra.[3]
Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport covers an area of 15 acres (6.1 ha) at an elevation of 49 feet (15 m) above mean sea level. It has one asphalt paved runway designated 13/31 which measures 2,600 by 50 feet (792 x 15 m). For the 12-month period ending March 16, 1998, the airport had 36,322 aircraft operations, an average of 99 per day: 93% air taxi and 7% general aviation.[1]
The airport is noted for the mountain at the approach end of the runway to the North. This obstacle, as well as the short length of the runway, keep jet aircraft and airlines from using this airport. Commercial operations are currently limited to air taxi service using propeller aircraft with 10 seats or less. The approach to this airport is considered good practice for pilots before flying to Saint Barthélemy Airport.
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Culebra | San Juan [4] |
| Air Flamenco | Ceiba, San Juan |
| Isla Nena Air | Ceiba, Vieques, San Juan [5] |
| Vieques Air Link | San Juan, Vieques |
On July 1, 2011, a Cessna 185 that took off from Benjamin Rivera Noriega airport with a family of five on board, registration number N8438Q, crashed while on its way to Mercedita Airport in Ponce. One body was found in Humacao. The other four passengers are presumed dead.[6]
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