Santa Cruz Airport (SAWU)
Medium airport · Puerto Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Airport data
| Name | Santa Cruz Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SAWU |
| IATA | RZA |
| Elevation | 364 ft (111 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 50°0'59" W 68°34'45" -50.01650, -68.57920 |
| Location | Puerto Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/25 | 6,561 ft (2000 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Santa Cruz Airport at a glance
Santa Cruz Airport is a medium airport in Puerto Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, known to airline systems as RZA. The field elevation of 364 ft (111 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SAWU are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 07/25, offers 6,561 ft (2000 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 07 points roughly 70° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SAWU shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Santa Cruz Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Capitan D Daniel Vazquez Airport | SAWJ | 97 km (52 NM) |
| Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport | SAWG | 184 km (99 NM) |
| El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport | SAWC | 249 km (134 NM) |
| Puerto Deseado Airport | SAWD | 320 km (173 NM) |
| Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport | SCNT | 333 km (180 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Santa Cruz Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 364 ft field elevation of Santa Cruz Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 73 airports and airfields we list for Argentina — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Santa Cruz Airport
What is the ICAO code of Santa Cruz Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Santa Cruz Airport is SAWU, and its IATA code is RZA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Santa Cruz Airport above sea level?
Santa Cruz Airport sits at an elevation of 364 feet (111 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Santa Cruz Airport located?
The airport lies at -50.0165, -68.5792 — in Puerto Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Capitan D Daniel Vazquez Airport, about 97 km away.
Does SAWU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SAWU appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Santa Cruz Airport?
Santa Cruz Airport has one runway. The longest, 07/25, measures 6,561 ft (2000 m) with a ASP surface.