{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Airport",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry": "Chile",
    "addressLocality": "El Salvador"
  },
  "airlines": [
    "LATAM Chile"
  ],
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "45 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to International Connection Time",
      "value": "75 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "75 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to International Connection Time",
      "value": "90 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Interline Connection Time",
      "value": "120 minutes"
    }
  ],
  "city": "El Salvador",
  "code": "ESR",
  "connection_tips": "Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada Airport (ESR) is a critical and specialized aviation facility located in the heart of northern Chile\u2019s Atacama Desert, serving the El Salvador copper mine and the regional operations of Codelco. For travelers, the most important connection tip is recognizing its status as an industrial-focused hub; while it hosts scheduled commercial flights via LATAM Chile and SKY Airline to Santiago (SCL), the vast majority of activity is centered around mining logistics and corporate charters. If you are connecting to international flights in Santiago, it is highly recommended to allow a minimum of 3 to 4 hours for the transfer to account for baggage reclaim and terminal changes. The airfield features a robust 2,308-meter asphalt runway (09/27) situated at an elevation of 1,597 meters.\n\nGround transportation is best handled by pre-arranged corporate shuttles or authorized taxis waiting outside the arrivals area for the 15-kilometer (20-minute) journey into the El Salvador mining city. A significant operational and health factor at ESR is the extreme desert climate; passengers are strongly advised to stay hydrated and use high-SPF sun protection due to the intense high-altitude solar radiation. Within the functional terminal, amenities include a comfortable waiting lounge with free high-speed Wi-Fi and a small caf\u00e9 serving local refreshments.\n\nArriving at the airport at least 90 minutes before your domestic departure is sufficient to navigate the manual check-in process. The airport also serves as a vital base for Andean mountaineering expeditions heading to the nearby Ojos del Salado. Always confirm your flight status and site access permissions with Codelco logistics well in advance of arrival.",
  "country": "Chile",
  "flag_url": "https://flagcdn.com/w320/cl.png",
  "flight_search_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=CLP",
  "frequent_traveler_tip": [
    "Check ahead for weather-sensitive flights to El Salvador.",
    "Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada serves the Atacama coast in Chile.",
    "It mainly connects the mining town with Santiago.",
    "Roads can be dusty, so allow extra time for surface transfers.",
    "A single scheduled carrier keeps the timetable limited."
  ],
  "global_map_link": "https://www.google.com/maps?q=Ricardo+Garc\u00eda+Posada+Airport",
  "google_maps_reviews": {
    "rating": 0.0,
    "recent_reviews": [],
    "total_reviews": 0
  },
  "has_commercial_service": true,
  "hotel_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=CLP",
  "iataCode": "ESR",
  "icao": "SCES",
  "international": false,
  "last_modified": "July 2026",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-31",
  "latitude": -26.311100006103516,
  "layover_planner_info": "Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada Airport (ESR) works best for straightforward domestic turns, not for building aggressive connection margins around multiple separate tickets. Use this page's published MCTs as the floor: 45 minutes for domestic transfers, 120 minutes when interline support is available. For longer stops in El Salvador, assume terminal amenities may be secondary to the surrounding landside area, and keep backup routing through Cha\u00f1aral Airport (CNR) and Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) in mind if the day starts to slip.",
  "longitude": -69.76519775390625,
  "mct_domestic_to_domestic": 45,
  "mct_domestic_to_international": 75,
  "mct_interline": 120,
  "mct_international_to_domestic": 75,
  "mct_international_to_international": 90,
  "missed_connection_help": "If you miss a connection at Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada Airport (ESR), start with the operating airline or transfer desk before leaving the secure area, especially if bags are checked through or your itinerary relies on interline handling. This airport publishes a 120-minute interline buffer, so ask staff to confirm whether onward sectors and baggage can be protected on the same journey before you commit to a new ticket. If same-day recovery fails, compare rebooking options via Cha\u00f1aral Airport (CNR) and Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO).",
  "name": "Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada Airport",
  "noindex": false,
  "region": "South America",
  "related_airports": [
    {
      "code": "CNR",
      "name": "Cha\u00f1aral Airport"
    },
    {
      "code": "CPO",
      "name": "Desierto de Atacama Airport"
    },
    {
      "code": "TTC",
      "name": "Las Breas Airport"
    }
  ],
  "terminal_info": "Ricardo Garc\u00eda Posada Airport (ESR), formerly known as El Salvador Bajo Airport, is a critical aviation facility located in the heart of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Situated approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the mining city of El Salvador, the airport serves as the primary aerial gateway for one of the world's most significant copper mining regions. Its location at an elevation of 1,597 meters above sea level makes it a vital node for the rapid transport of specialized personnel and essential equipment to the remote high-altitude plateaus of the Andes.\n\nThe airport operates from a functional passenger terminal designed to handle the unique needs of the mining community and business travelers. The facility provides a range of essential amenities, including efficient check-in counters, a comfortable waiting lounge with free Wi-Fi, and a small selection of cafes and retail shops offering travel essentials. Given its role in supporting the industrial sector, the terminal is engineered for high efficiency, ensuring that passengers can quickly transition from their flights to the various corporate shuttle services that connect the airport to the city and the nearby mine sites.\n\nAirside infrastructure at ESR features a robust 2,308-meter asphalt runway (09/27), which is specifically maintained to accommodate regional turboprops and medium-sized commercial jet aircraft. Operating in the extreme environment of the Atacama Desert presents unique challenges, including intense solar radiation and high density altitude during the summer months. The airport is equipped with modern navigational aids and airfield lighting to support safe operations throughout the day, providing a reliable link even in the stark, arid landscape of northern Chile.\n\nThe airport's strategic importance is deeply tied to the operations of Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper mining company. It facilitates frequent charter and scheduled services operated by carriers such as Aerov\u00edas DAP and SKY Airline, primarily connecting El Salvador to the national capital of Santiago. Beyond its industrial utility, the airport acts as a lifeline for the local population, providing a rapid conduit for medical emergencies and government services. Ground transportation is well-managed, with authorized taxis and corporate transfers providing a 20-minute journey to the city center, cementing the airport's role as a cornerstone of regional integration.",
  "terminal_map_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Garc\u00eda_Posada_Airport"
}