Simón Bolívar International Airport (SKSM)
Medium airport · Santa Marta, Magdalena Department, Colombia
Airport data
| Name | Simón Bolívar International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SKSM |
| IATA | SMR |
| Elevation | 22 ft (7 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 11°7'11" W 74°13'50" 11.11960, -74.23060 |
| Location | Santa Marta, Magdalena Department, Colombia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 5,577 ft (1700 m) | 131 ft | ASP | No |
Simón Bolívar International Airport at a glance
Simón Bolívar International Airport is a medium airport in Santa Marta, Magdalena Department, Colombia, known to airline systems as SMR. The field elevation of 22 ft (7 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SKSM 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, 01/19, offers 5,577 ft (1700 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SKSM 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 Simón Bolívar International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport | SKBQ | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Alfonso López Pumarejo Airport | SKVP | 131 km (71 NM) |
| Almirante Padilla Airport | SKRH | 149 km (80 NM) |
| Rafael Nuñez International Airport | SKCG | 159 km (86 NM) |
| Jorge Isaac Airport | SKLM | 190 km (103 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Simón Bolívar International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 22 ft field elevation of Simón Bolívar International 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 Simón Bolívar International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Simón Bolívar International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Simón Bolívar International Airport is SKSM, and its IATA code is SMR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Simón Bolívar International Airport above sea level?
Simón Bolívar International Airport sits at an elevation of 22 feet (7 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Simón Bolívar International Airport located?
The airport lies at 11.1196, -74.2306 — in Santa Marta, Magdalena Department, Colombia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, about 65 km away.
Does SKSM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SKSM 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 Simón Bolívar International Airport?
Simón Bolívar International Airport has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 5,577 ft (1700 m) with a ASP surface.