Desierto de Atacama Airport (SCAT)
Medium airport · Copiapo, Atacama Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Desierto de Atacama Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCAT |
| IATA | CPO |
| Elevation | 670 ft (204 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 27°15'40" W 70°46'45" -27.26120, -70.77920 |
| Location | Copiapo, Atacama Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/35 | 7,218 ft (2200 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Desierto de Atacama Airport at a glance
Desierto de Atacama Airport is a medium airport in Copiapo, Atacama Region, Chile, known to airline systems as CPO. The field elevation of 670 ft (204 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCAT 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, 17/35, offers 7,218 ft (2200 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCAT 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 Desierto de Atacama Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chañaral Airport | SCRA | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Ricardo García Posada Airport | SCES | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Vallenar Airport | SCLL | 148 km (80 NM) |
| Las Breas Airport | SCTT | 193 km (104 NM) |
| La Florida Airport | SCSE | 298 km (161 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Desierto de Atacama Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 670 ft field elevation of Desierto de Atacama 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 Desierto de Atacama Airport
What is the ICAO code of Desierto de Atacama Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Desierto de Atacama Airport is SCAT, and its IATA code is CPO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Desierto de Atacama Airport above sea level?
Desierto de Atacama Airport sits at an elevation of 670 feet (204 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Desierto de Atacama Airport located?
The airport lies at -27.2612, -70.7792 — in Copiapo, Atacama Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Chañaral Airport, about 105 km away.
Does SCAT publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCAT 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 Desierto de Atacama Airport?
Desierto de Atacama Airport has one runway. The longest, 17/35, measures 7,218 ft (2200 m) with a ASP surface.