โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Palmerola International Airport operates through an impressive 40,000-square-meter, three-level passenger terminal that officially opened on October 15, 2021, with the first commercial flight arriving from Houston via Spirit Airlines on December 11, 2021. This state-of-the-art facility serves as Honduras' new primary international gateway, designed to efficiently handle approximately 1.5 million passengers annually while replacing the operationally challenging Toncontin Airport for international operations.
The terminal building features 13 modern boarding gates including 7 equipped with jet bridges and 6 remote positions, supported by 6 fixed boarding bridges plus one MARS position enabling up to 7 simultaneous aircraft boarding operations. Passenger processing capabilities include 40 check-in counters, 17 self-service check-in stations, 34 immigration control posts, and 3 baggage carousels, all designed to accommodate the growing international traffic to Central America with enhanced efficiency and safety standards.
Commercial amenities within the terminal encompass 45 retail and dining establishments, VIP lounges, comprehensive WiFi internet access throughout the facility, and duty-free shopping areas that cater to international travelers. The airport incorporates sustainable design elements including solar panels for clean energy generation and maintains advanced security systems featuring 145 cameras and cutting-edge X-ray technology to ensure passenger safety and operational security.
Ground access infrastructure includes extensive parking facilities with 1,200 spaces designated for passengers, taxis, buses, and rental vehicles accessible from CA-5 highway, along with the innovative free Palmerola Connect bus service providing scheduled transportation to Tegucigalpa. The facility's strategic location 112 kilometers from the capital and 6 kilometers from Comayagua, combined with cargo terminal capabilities handling approximately 20,000 tons annually, positions Palmerola as Honduras' premier aviation hub for both passenger and freight operations.
๐ Connection Tips
Palmerola International Airport opened in October 2021 as Honduras' modern international gateway, located 112km from Tegucigalpa and 6km from Comayagua. The airport features the third longest runway in Honduras at 8,009 feet, capable of handling wide-body aircraft. Free Palmerola Connect bus service operates daily between XPL and Toncontin Airport (TGU) at 5am, 9am, and 11am for travelers connecting to Tegucigalpa. The facility replaced the challenging Toncontin Airport for international flights, offering safer and more efficient operations for travelers to Central America.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Cauquira Airport (CDD), also identified by its ICAO code MHCU, is a small airstrip serving the remote village of Cauquira in the Gracias a Dios Department of Honduras. Located in the heart of La Mosquitia, a region characterized by its dense rainforests and intricate waterways, the airport plays a crucial role as a lifeline for the indigenous Miskito communities and other residents. It provides essential air access for supplies, medical emergencies, and limited travel, connecting this isolated area to larger population centers in Honduras.
As an airstrip in a remote region, Cauquira Airport features very minimal terminal facilities. There is no traditional terminal building with commercial amenities such as retail shops, restaurants, or lounges. Travelers should anticipate a basic setup, likely consisting of a simple shelter or an open area for passengers awaiting flights. Given the extremely limited infrastructure, passengers are advised to carry all necessary provisions, including food, water, and any personal items, as services on-site are non-existent.
Operational aspects of Cauquira Airport are constrained by its rudimentary nature. It operates with a grass runway, approximately 940 meters long, suitable for small aircraft. Due to the lack of runway lighting, flight operations are restricted to daytime hours under visual flight rules. Ground transportation from the airstrip to Cauquira village or other nearby settlements is typically arranged locally, often involving informal services or reliance on local contacts. The airport's primary function is to provide essential air connectivity to a hard-to-reach area, and as such, it emphasizes self-sufficiency for travelers.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Cauquira Airport (CDD) is a quintessential remote logistics experience in Honduras's Gracias a Dios Department (La Mosquitia). As a minimalist airstrip serving the Miskito community, the most critical 'connection' tip for travelers is that scheduled air service directly to CDD is rare; most visitors fly into the regional hub at Puerto Lempira (PEU) via CM Airlines or Lanhsa and then complete their journey to Cauquira via water. This lagoon 'connection' involves a 30-minute motorboat (*lancha*) crossing of the Caratasca Lagoon from the Puerto Lempira pier, which typically costs around 150 Lempiras ($6 USD) for a public 'colectivo' seat.
From a technical perspective, pilots should be aware that the 940-meter (3,084 feet) runway is a rudimentary grass and dirt strip. A paramount tip for arrivals is to perform a low-level inspection pass to check for surface saturation after the regionโs intense tropical rains and to clear the strip of wandering livestock. There is absolutely no fuel, maintenance, or navigational lighting on-site; all operations are strictly daylight-only under VFR. Logistically, the airport lacks a terminal building, consisting merely of a small communal shelter. Travelers must be entirely self-sufficient, carrying their own food, water filtration, and sufficient Honduran Lempiras (HNL) in small bills, as there are no ATMs or credit card facilities in the village. Upon arrival at the airstrip, onward ground transit is informal and usually requires pre-arranged assistance from local community members or NGO contacts. Always maintain a flexible 48-hour buffer in your itinerary, as the volatile Caribbean coastal weather and lagoon conditions are the primary factors for flight and boat cancellations in the Mosquitia region.
โ Back to Palmerola International Airport