Ricardo García Posada Airport (SCES)
Medium airport · El Salvador, Atacama Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Ricardo García Posada Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCES |
| IATA | ESR |
| Elevation | 5,240 ft (1597 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 26°18'40" W 69°45'55" -26.31110, -69.76520 |
| Location | El Salvador, Atacama Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 7,546 ft (2300 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Ricardo García Posada Airport at a glance
Ricardo García Posada Airport is a medium airport in El Salvador, Atacama Region, Chile, known to airline systems as ESR. The field elevation of 5,240 ft (1597 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCES 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, 09/27, offers 7,546 ft (2300 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCES 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 Ricardo García Posada 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 | 84 km (45 NM) |
| Las Breas Airport | SCTT | 103 km (56 NM) |
| Desierto de Atacama Airport | SCAT | 146 km (79 NM) |
| Vallenar Airport | SCLL | 272 km (147 NM) |
| Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport | SCFA | 326 km (176 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ricardo García Posada Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,240 ft field elevation of Ricardo García Posada 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 Ricardo García Posada Airport
What is the ICAO code of Ricardo García Posada Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Ricardo García Posada Airport is SCES, and its IATA code is ESR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ricardo García Posada Airport above sea level?
Ricardo García Posada Airport sits at an elevation of 5,240 feet (1597 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ricardo García Posada Airport located?
The airport lies at -26.3111, -69.7652 — in El Salvador, Atacama Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Chañaral Airport, about 84 km away.
Does SCES publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCES 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 Ricardo García Posada Airport?
Ricardo García Posada Airport has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 7,546 ft (2300 m) with a ASP surface.