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
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Catacamas Airport (CVC) is the local airport for Catacamas and the wider Olancho region of eastern Honduras, a part of the country where long interior road journeys make even small airports meaningful. The airport serves an area known for ranching, agriculture, and access to natural and archaeological sites rather than for heavy air traffic, so its importance is regional and practical rather than metropolitan. In that setting, the airport works as a useful access point into Olancho rather than as a large-scale transport hub.
The terminal is correspondingly modest. Travelers should expect a small passenger facility with essential check-in and waiting space, limited amenities, and quick movement between landside and aircraft when flights operate. Airports like CVC are designed to handle low passenger volumes efficiently, often with a mix of scheduled regional operations, charters, and government use. The building's role is simply to make air access workable in a region otherwise dominated by lengthy overland travel.
What makes CVC distinctive is the territory it opens up. Catacamas is associated with the Talgua Caves area and with one of Honduras's broadest inland departments, giving the airport significance out of proportion to its size. The terminal therefore feels like a practical rural gateway: unpretentious, local, and shaped by the need to connect Olancho to the national network rather than by any ambition to function as a destination terminal in itself.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting to and from Catacamas (CVC) primarily involves domestic flights from Toncontin International Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa or regional road transport. Carriers like CM Airlines or Aerolineas Sosa provide the most reliable links, with the flight taking approximately 40 minutes. If you are connecting to an international flight in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula (SAP), ensure you allow at least 4-5 hours for baggage collection and a terminal transfer, as regional flights in Olancho can occasionally experience weather-related schedule changes.
Ground transportation from the airport to the Catacamas city center is straightforward, with the drive taking approximately 15-20 minutes. Local taxis are generally available near the terminal exit and charge a fixed rate of roughly USD3-USD5. For budget travelers, local buses or rapiditos frequent the main road near the airport, providing affordable links to the city and the nearby Talgua Caves. For those heading to larger hubs like Tegucigalpa or Juticalpa, inter-city bus companies operate from the main terminal in town. It is highly recommended to arrange private transfers in advance if visiting remote cattle ranches or cloud forest lodges. Always carry Honduran lempiras (HNL) for local fares and small expenses, as credit card acceptance is limited in smaller establishments. A unique tip for travelers is to visit the Talgua Caves, located just 10 km from the airport, to see the shimmering pre-Columbian cave ossuary remains.
โ Back to Palmerola International Airport