Caviahue Airport (CVH)

Caviahue Airport (CVH) is a high-altitude regional airstrip located near the ski resort town of Caviahue in the Neuquén Province of Argentina, within the Copahue Provincial Park. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), the airport was originally built to facilitate access to the famous volcanic thermal baths and the 'Cerro Caviahue' ski area. The facility features a single asphalt runway (SAHE) measuring 1,600 meters, which is currently characterized by its rugged condition and is primarily used for private general aviation and emergency government flights. The terminal facilities at Caviahue are minimal and reflect the airport's transition from a public-use hub in the 1990s to its current status as a primarily private-use airstrip. There is no large commercial terminal building; instead, a small structure provides basic shelter and administrative space for the few pilots who utilize the site. Amenities such as cafes, shops, and VIP lounges are non-existent, and the airport lacks a comprehensive runway lighting system, making it suitable only for daylight Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. Its location, surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes and basaltic formations, makes it one of the most scenic but underutilized airfields in the Argentinian Andes. Transit through CVH is exceptionally rare as there are no scheduled commercial airline services like Aerolíneas Argentinas or LADE currently serving the site. For the vast majority of tourists visiting the Caviahue-Copahue region, the primary gateway is Presidente Perón International Airport (NQN) in Neuquén capital, located approximately 360 kilometers to the southeast. Ground transportation from the airstrip to the Caviahue village—about a 10-minute drive—is via private arrangement, as there is no regular public transit or taxi stand directly serving the airfield. During the winter months, heavy snowfall can render the runway completely unusable, making the long but scenic road journey from Neuquén the only reliable option.