๐บ๐ธ Calipatria, United States of America
Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport (CLR/KCLR) is a public-use general aviation facility located in Calipatria, Imperial County, California. It is uniquely notable for its elevation, which is approximately 182 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest-lying airports in the world. The airfield primarily serves as a base for agricultural flight operations, which are critical to the Imperial Valley's massive farming industry, as well as private and corporate pilots visiting this desert region. The airport is an unattended facility, reflecting its role as a functional regional airfield rather than a commercial passenger hub. There is no traditional passenger terminal building on-site, meaning that facilities such as indoor waiting rooms, check-in counters, and public restrooms are not available. The infrastructure consists of a single paved runway (08/26) measuring 3,423 feet in length, which is designed to support various light and medium-sized general aviation aircraft. Pilots using the airfield are expected to be self-sufficient and to coordinate their flight operations via the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). Amenities at Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport are extremely limited, with no on-site services for food, water, or commercial retail. While the airfield provides a vital landing site for regional agricultural sprayers and private aviators, visitors must bring their own supplies and handle their own aircraft needs. Ground transportation into the city of Calipatria is typically arranged through private vehicles or local pre-coordinated pickups, as there are no on-site taxi services or rental car agencies. Despite its sparse facilities, the airport remains an essential part of the agricultural infrastructure of the Imperial Valley.
Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport (CLR) is a unique public-use aviation facility located in Calipatria, Imperial County, California. As one of the lowest airports in the world, situated at 182 feet below sea level, CLR primarily serves general aviation and agricultural aircraft operations in the Imperial Valley. Connecting through CLR is a specialized experience, as the airfield does not currently host scheduled commercial passenger services. Most 'connections' at CLR involve private aviation or a transition to the regional road network that links the Salton Sea area to larger hubs like El Centro and Palm Springs. For travelers reaching the Calipatria area from abroad, the standard connection strategy involves flying into a major international gateway such as San Diego International Airport (SAN) or Los Angeles International (LAX) and then continuing the journey via rental car or private charter. The nearest airport with limited commercial service is Imperial County Airport (IPL) in El Centro, located approximately 20 miles to the south, which provides regional links to Los Angeles. Because CLR is a basic facility with minimal infrastructure, it is essential to have all ground transportation pre-arranged. There are no on-site taxi ranks, car rental desks, or passenger terminal amenities like dining or retail shops. Navigating the airfield is extremely simple due to its small size, and the facility features a single 3,423-foot asphalt runway (8/26). Pilots connecting into CLR must be particularly mindful of altimeter settings and performance calculations given the below-sea-level elevation. The airport is primarily used by the local agricultural industry for crop-dusting operations, so be aware of increased light aircraft activity during peak growing seasons. While the airport provides basic tie-down spaces, all significant supplies and services are found in the nearby town of Calipatria or in the larger city of Brawley, just a short drive to the south.
Check terminal and airline baggage transfer rules, especially on separate tickets.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
90 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
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Last updated: January 1980 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources