Chacalluta International Airport (SCAR)
Medium airport · Arica, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Chacalluta International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCAR |
| IATA | ARI |
| Elevation | 167 ft (51 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 18°20'55" W 70°20'19" -18.34850, -70.33870 |
| Location | Arica, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 9,186 ft (2800 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Chacalluta International Airport at a glance
Chacalluta International Airport is a medium airport in Arica, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile, known to airline systems as ARI. The field elevation of 167 ft (51 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCAR are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 03/21, offers 9,186 ft (2800 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 03 points roughly 30° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCAR 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 Chacalluta International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Coronel FAP Carlos Ciriani Santa Rosa International Airport | SPTN | 33 km (18 NM) |
| General Jorge Fernandez Maldon Airport | SPLO | 129 km (70 NM) |
| Diego Aracena International Airport | SCDA | 244 km (132 NM) |
| Rodríguez Ballón International Airport | SPQU | 259 km (140 NM) |
| El Alto International Airport | SLLP | 306 km (165 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Chacalluta International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 167 ft field elevation of Chacalluta International 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 33 airports and airfields we list for Chile — 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 Chacalluta International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Chacalluta International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Chacalluta International Airport is SCAR, and its IATA code is ARI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Chacalluta International Airport above sea level?
Chacalluta International Airport sits at an elevation of 167 feet (51 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Chacalluta International Airport located?
The airport lies at -18.3485, -70.3387 — in Arica, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Coronel FAP Carlos Ciriani Santa Rosa International Airport, about 33 km away.
Does SCAR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCAR 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 Chacalluta International Airport?
Chacalluta International Airport has one runway. The longest, 03/21, measures 9,186 ft (2800 m) with a ASP surface.