Almirante Padilla Airport (SKRH)
Medium airport · Riohacha, La Guajira Department, Colombia
Airport data
| Name | Almirante Padilla Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SKRH |
| IATA | RCH |
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 11°31'34" W 72°55'34" 11.52620, -72.92600 |
| Location | Riohacha, La Guajira Department, Colombia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 5,413 ft (1650 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
| 10/28 | — | — | UNK | No |
Almirante Padilla Airport at a glance
Almirante Padilla Airport is a medium airport in Riohacha, La Guajira Department, Colombia, known to airline systems as RCH. The field elevation of 43 ft (13 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SKRH are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 09/27 — offers 5,413 ft (1650 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 SKRH 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 Almirante Padilla Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Isaac Airport | SKLM | 58 km (31 NM) |
| Alfonso López Pumarejo Airport | SKVP | 126 km (68 NM) |
| Simón Bolívar International Airport | SKSM | 149 km (80 NM) |
| La Chinita International Airport | SVMC | 169 km (91 NM) |
| Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport | SKBQ | 214 km (116 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Almirante Padilla Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 43 ft field elevation of Almirante Padilla 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 60 airports and airfields we list for Colombia — 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 Almirante Padilla Airport
What is the ICAO code of Almirante Padilla Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Almirante Padilla Airport is SKRH, and its IATA code is RCH. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Almirante Padilla Airport above sea level?
Almirante Padilla Airport sits at an elevation of 43 feet (13 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Almirante Padilla Airport located?
The airport lies at 11.5262, -72.9260 — in Riohacha, La Guajira Department, Colombia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Jorge Isaac Airport, about 58 km away.
Does SKRH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SKRH 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 Almirante Padilla Airport?
Almirante Padilla Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 09/27, measures 5,413 ft (1650 m) with a ASP surface.