{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Airport",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry": "Panama",
    "addressLocality": "El Real, Dari\u00e9n"
  },
  "airlines": [
    "Regional and Charter services"
  ],
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "30 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to International Connection Time",
      "value": "45 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "45 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to International Connection Time",
      "value": "60 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Interline Connection Time",
      "value": "75 minutes"
    }
  ],
  "city": "El Real, Dari\u00e9n",
  "code": "ELE",
  "connection_tips": "El Real Airport (ELE/MPER) serves as a critical remote aviation facility for El Real de Santa Mar\u00eda in Panama's Dari\u00e9n Province, acting as a vital lifeline in a region largely inaccessible by road. For travelers connecting through ELE, it is essential to understand its role: this is not a commercial airport with scheduled services. Operations are primarily managed by regional charter operators and specialized government or medical missions. The airfield features a single, relatively short 570-meter (1,870-foot) asphalt runway, requiring skilled pilots for landing and takeoff, especially given its location deep within the tropical rainforest.\n\nThere are no traditional passenger terminal buildings, shops, or readily available ground transportation at El Real. Passengers and cargo are handled in a basic functional shelter. If you are arriving via charter, pre-arranging all transport is mandatory, as there are no taxis or rental cars. El Real's strategic proximity to Yaviza, the southern terminus of the Pan-American Highway's break at the Dari\u00e9n Gap, makes it a key point for accessing the dense jungle and indigenous communities.\n\nTravelers must be exceptionally prepared for jungle conditions: bring all necessary supplies, including water, food, and medical kits. Always coordinate transfers with local contacts or guides before arriving. You must also be prepared for rapidly changing tropical weather, with heavy rainfall and humidity being constant factors that can impact flight schedules and ground conditions. If your travel involves exploring the Dari\u00e9n Gap or connecting to river transport, confirm all logistics with your local operator, as aviation is often the only viable link to the outside world for this isolated region.",
  "country": "Panama",
  "flag_url": "https://flagcdn.com/w320/pa.png",
  "flight_search_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=PAB",
  "frequent_traveler_tip": [
    "Check ahead for limited amenities and operating hours.",
    "El Real serves a remote Dari\u00e9n community in Panama.",
    "It is mainly a small charter and mission airfield.",
    "Road access is limited, so flights are important.",
    "Expect basic facilities and few passenger services."
  ],
  "global_map_link": "https://www.google.com/maps?q=El+Real+Airport",
  "google_maps_reviews": {
    "rating": 0.0,
    "recent_reviews": [],
    "total_reviews": 0
  },
  "hotel_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=PAB",
  "iataCode": "ELE",
  "icao": "MPER",
  "international": false,
  "last_modified": "June 2026",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-30",
  "latitude": 8.1333,
  "layover_planner_info": "No meaningful layover options on-site.",
  "longitude": -77.7,
  "mct_domestic_to_domestic": 30,
  "mct_domestic_to_international": 45,
  "mct_interline": 75,
  "mct_international_to_domestic": 45,
  "mct_international_to_international": 60,
  "missed_connection_help": "Work with airline agents for re-accommodation.",
  "name": "El Real Airport",
  "region": "Central America",
  "related_airports": [
    {
      "code": "ACU",
      "name": "Achutupu Airport"
    },
    {
      "code": "PYV",
      "name": "Yaviza Airport"
    }
  ],
  "terminal_info": "El Real Airport (ELE) is a critical remote aviation facility serving the community of El Real de Santa Mar\u00eda in the Dari\u00e9n Province of Panama. Nestled deep within the tropical rainforests of eastern Panama, the airport acts as a primary lifeline for a region that is geographically isolated from the rest of the country. Its position is essential for the movement of people, essential supplies, and government personnel who must navigate the roadless and often impenetrable terrain of the Panamanian frontier.\n\nThe airport holds immense strategic importance due to its proximity to the Dari\u00e9n Gap and the town of Yaviza, which serves as the southern terminus of the North American section of the Pan-American Highway. Situated just 6.5 kilometers southwest of Yaviza, the airfield is one of the few ways to access the deep interior of the province, as there are no paved roads connecting these isolated settlements. For many residents and indigenous communities, the airport is the only reliable link to the services and commerce of Panama City.\n\nThe airfield infrastructure is extremely minimalist, featuring a single 570-meter (1,870-foot) asphalt runway. As a small, unattended airstrip, it does not possess a traditional passenger terminal building or modern commercial amenities. Instead, the facility offers a basic functional shelter where passengers and cargo are gathered before flight. The short length of the runway and its location within a dense jungle environment require pilots to be highly skilled in short-field operations and to maintain strict awareness of rapidly changing tropical weather patterns.\n\nFlight operations at El Real are primarily managed by regional charter operators and specialized government missions. While scheduled commercial services by carriers like Air Panama have been infrequent in recent years, the airport remains a bustling hub for private charters and emergency medical flights. Travelers visiting the region must be prepared for a high degree of self-sufficiency, as there are no retail, dining, or fueling facilities at the airfield. All arrivals must be coordinated well in advance with operators in Panama City, and departures are highly dependent on visual flight rules (VFR) and local visibility. Despite its modest scale, ELE remains a cornerstone of the regional transportation network in the Dari\u00e9n frontier.",
  "terminal_map_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Real_Airport"
}