Juan Simons Vela Airport (SPJA)
Medium airport · Rioja, San Martín Region, Peru
Airport data
| Name | Juan Simons Vela Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SPJA |
| IATA | RIJ |
| Elevation | 2,707 ft (825 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 6°4'4" W 77°9'36" -6.06786, -77.16000 |
| Location | Rioja, San Martín Region, Peru |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 6,168 ft (1880 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Juan Simons Vela Airport at a glance
Juan Simons Vela Airport is a medium airport in Rioja, San Martín Region, Peru, known to airline systems as RIJ. The field elevation of 2,707 ft (825 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SPJA 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, 16/34, offers 6,168 ft (1880 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SPJA 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 Juan Simons Vela Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chachapoyas Airport | SPPY | 78 km (42 NM) |
| Cadete FAP Guillermo Del Castillo Paredes Airport | SPST | 100 km (54 NM) |
| Moises Benzaquen Rengifo Airport | SPMS | 117 km (63 NM) |
| Juanjui Airport | SPJI | 131 km (71 NM) |
| Shumba Airport | SPJE | 186 km (100 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Juan Simons Vela Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 2,707 ft field elevation of Juan Simons Vela 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 31 airports and airfields we list for Peru — 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 Juan Simons Vela Airport
What is the ICAO code of Juan Simons Vela Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Juan Simons Vela Airport is SPJA, and its IATA code is RIJ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Juan Simons Vela Airport above sea level?
Juan Simons Vela Airport sits at an elevation of 2,707 feet (825 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Juan Simons Vela Airport located?
The airport lies at -6.0679, -77.1600 — in Rioja, San Martín Region, Peru, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Chachapoyas Airport, about 78 km away.
Does SPJA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SPJA 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 Juan Simons Vela Airport?
Juan Simons Vela Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 6,168 ft (1880 m) with a ASP surface.