Maquehue Airport (PZS)

Maquehue Airport (PZS), designated by the ICAO as SCTC, is a historic aviation facility serving the city of Temuco and the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, located approximately 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the city center. Following the inauguration of the modern La Araucanía International Airport (ZCO) in 2014, PZS transitioned from being the primary commercial gateway to a specialized military and general aviation hub. It currently serves as the headquarters for the Maquehue Air Base of the Chilean Air Force and the main base for the Club Aéreo de Temuco.

The terminal infrastructure has been repurposed to support its current military and private aviation mission, featuring functional administrative offices and high-efficiency hangars for the local flight club. While the original passenger terminal building remains, it no longer hosts public commercial amenities such as check-in counters, retail shops, or full-service restaurants. Travelers and private pilots have access to basic waiting lounges and briefing areas within the Aero Club complex, which maintains a professional environment for flight training and institutional operations.

Operationally, the airport features a single 5,577-foot asphalt runway (06/24) capable of supporting a wide variety of private jets and military transport aircraft. Ground transportation to central Temuco is well-supported by local taxi services situated near the air base entrance, providing a quick 10 to 15-minute link to the city's main districts. Travelers are strongly advised to note that all scheduled commercial airline services for the region now utilize the new ZCO facility located in Freire, and they should verify their flight destination code carefully before departure to ensure a professional and streamlined journey.