Chañaral Airport (SCRA)
Medium airport · Chañaral, Atacama Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Chañaral Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCRA |
| IATA | CNR |
| Elevation | 97 ft (30 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 26°19'57" W 70°36'26" -26.33250, -70.60730 |
| Location | Chañaral, Atacama Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 3,985 ft (1215 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Chañaral Airport at a glance
Chañaral Airport is a medium airport in Chañaral, Atacama Region, Chile, known to airline systems as CNR. The field elevation of 97 ft (30 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCRA 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, 09/27, offers 3,985 ft (1215 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCRA 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 Chañaral Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ricardo García Posada Airport | SCES | 84 km (45 NM) |
| Las Breas Airport | SCTT | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Desierto de Atacama Airport | SCAT | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Vallenar Airport | SCLL | 252 km (136 NM) |
| Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport | SCFA | 321 km (173 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Chañaral Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 97 ft field elevation of Chañaral 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 Chañaral Airport
What is the ICAO code of Chañaral Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Chañaral Airport is SCRA, and its IATA code is CNR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Chañaral Airport above sea level?
Chañaral Airport sits at an elevation of 97 feet (30 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Chañaral Airport located?
The airport lies at -26.3325, -70.6073 — in Chañaral, Atacama Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ricardo García Posada Airport, about 84 km away.
Does SCRA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCRA 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 Chañaral Airport?
Chañaral Airport has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 3,985 ft (1215 m) with a ASP surface.