Palmarito Airport (PTM)

Palmarito Airport (PTM) is a remote regional aviation facility serving the town of Palmarito in the Páez Municipality of Apure State, Venezuela. The airport functions as a basic regional landing ground and does not feature a formal commercial passenger terminal building or staffed administrative offices. It acts as a critical infrastructure link for this isolated llanos region, primarily supporting private charters, essential medical flights, and specialized transport for the local agricultural and livestock sectors. Facilities at the airstrip are extremely minimal and reflect its status as an unattended rural airfield in a tropical savanna environment. The terminal area typically consists of a small, basic shelter or cleared zone used for passenger waiting and cargo staging, but lacks modern commercial amenities such as retail shops, full-service restaurants, or public restrooms. Travelers and pilots are advised to be completely self-sufficient and to handle all logistical needs, including food and water, in the Palmarito town center prior to arrival at the field. The airfield features a single 3,776-foot asphalt runway (05/23) situated at an elevation of 347 feet above sea level. Operationally, the facility is restricted to daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), as it is not equipped with modern nighttime navigational aids or radio beacons. Ground transportation to central Palmarito, located approximately 3 miles (5 km) to the north, is informal, with no dedicated taxi or rental services available; visitors typically utilize local private vehicle transfers or river-based transport to reach the region's diverse ecological and administrative districts.