El Loa Airport (SCCF)
Medium airport · Calama, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | El Loa Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCCF |
| IATA | CJC |
| Elevation | 7,543 ft (2299 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 22°29'54" W 68°54'13" -22.49820, -68.90360 |
| Location | Calama, Antofagasta Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 9,974 ft (3040 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
El Loa Airport at a glance
El Loa Airport is a medium airport in Calama, Antofagasta Region, Chile, known to airline systems as CJC. The field elevation of 7,543 ft (2299 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCCF 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, 10/28, offers 9,974 ft (3040 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCCF 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 El Loa Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Barriles Airport | SCBE | 126 km (68 NM) |
| Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport | SCFA | 190 km (103 NM) |
| Diego Aracena International Airport | SCDA | 255 km (138 NM) |
| Joya Andina International Airport | SLUY | 312 km (168 NM) |
| Las Breas Airport | SCTT | 372 km (201 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for El Loa Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 7,543 ft field elevation of El Loa 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 El Loa Airport
What is the ICAO code of El Loa Airport?
The ICAO identifier of El Loa Airport is SCCF, and its IATA code is CJC. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is El Loa Airport above sea level?
El Loa Airport sits at an elevation of 7,543 feet (2299 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is El Loa Airport located?
The airport lies at -22.4982, -68.9036 — in Calama, Antofagasta Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Barriles Airport, about 126 km away.
Does SCCF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCCF 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 El Loa Airport?
El Loa Airport has one runway. The longest, 10/28, measures 9,974 ft (3040 m) with a ASP surface.