Colombia Airports After the Quake: What’s Open and What’s Closed
Colombia · Travel
Key Facts
- —Closed Pereira’s Matecana, Cartago (emergency flights only) and Popayan are all shut to normal service.
- —Reopened Cali, Quibdo, Armenia, Buenaventura and Manizales are back in service.
- —The catch Manizales is flying without a control tower and Armenia cannot take diverted flights.
- —No Pereira date Officials have set no reopening date while runway and tower repairs go on.
- —It changes fast The open and closed list has flipped within hours, in both directions.
Five airports are flying again and three are not. That split can change between breakfast and boarding, so let your airline have the final word.
The list of open and closed Colombia airports keeps shifting after the 10 August 2026 earthquake. If you have a trip booked, confirm your airport with the airline before you leave home.
What This Means for Your Trip
Western Colombia’s airports took a hard hit from the earthquake on 10 August 2026. Some have already reopened, while others remain shut with no clear date.
The most useful thing to know is that this picture is not fixed. Airports here have swung between open and closed within the same day.
So treat any list, including this one, as a snapshot in time. Always confirm your own airport with the airline before you set off.
Which Colombia Airports Are Open Right Now
As of 13 August 2026, five airports in the region are back in service. They are Cali, Quibdo, Armenia, Buenaventura and Manizales.
Cali is the main hub and has resumed normal commercial flights. Quibdo has also fully returned to its regular schedule.
Armenia and Buenaventura are open too, though with the limits explained below. Manizales is flying again, but without a working control tower.
Where Pereira’s Matecana Stands
Pereira’s Matecana remains closed to scheduled passenger flights. It is handling only government, medical and humanitarian aircraft for now.
The airport took damage to its runway, control tower and communications. Repairs and safety checks are still under way there.
Crucially, the authorities have set no reopening date. If you were booked through Pereira, assume it is off until an airline tells you otherwise.
Cartago Is Emergency Flights Only
Cartago’s airport, just north of Pereira, is not an option for tourists. It is open only for state, emergency and humanitarian flights.
It is also running without control tower service, described in aviation terms as uncontrolled. That keeps it off limits to ordinary scheduled traffic.
For a normal trip, treat Cartago as closed. It cannot stand in for Pereira while Matecana is shut.
Why Popayan Is Closed
Popayan’s airport is shut for a different reason from the quake. Volcanic ash from the nearby Purace volcano has grounded flights.
Ash is dangerous to aircraft engines, so airports close as a precaution. Operations there are suspended until further notice.
This one depends on the volcano, not on repair work. It could clear quickly or linger, so check daily if Popayan is your airport.
The Catch at Manizales and Armenia
Manizales is open, but its control tower is still being repaired. Flights are running uncontrolled, which can mean delays or sudden changes.
Armenia is back for commercial service, yet with one important limit. It cannot serve as an alternate for flights diverted from other airports.
For you as a passenger, both are usable but less reliable than usual. Build in extra time and keep an eye on your flight status.
Why the List Keeps Changing
The status of each airport is being reviewed almost hour by hour. Aftershocks, inspections and ash can all move an airport on or off the list.
That means an airport open this morning could pause by afternoon. The reverse is just as true, as several reopenings have shown.
This is why a printed schedule cannot be trusted on its own. The only current answer comes from the airline and the aviation authority.
How to Check Before You Fly
Start with your airline’s app or website on the day you travel. That is where cancellations and rebookings show up first.
Next, check Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority, for official notices. It is the source behind the open and closed list.
Finally, call the airline if anything is unclear. A quick call can save a wasted trip to a closed airport.
Getting to the Coffee Towns by Road
If your airport is closed, the coffee towns are still reachable by road. Cali, Pereira, Armenia and Manizales sit within a few hours of each other.
Intercity buses run often between the main cities and are cheap. A door to door taxi or private car is faster but costs more.
Demand for buses can rise while flights are disrupted. Allow extra time and book a seat ahead where you can.
Keep an Eye on Aftershocks and Ash
Two things could still change the picture: aftershocks and volcanic ash. Either can pause an airport that is open today.
Aftershocks are common in the weeks after a large quake. They can trigger fresh inspections that hold up flights.
The Purace volcano is the other wild card, keeping Popayan shut. Watch official updates if your route touches that area.
If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If your flight is called off, contact the airline before heading anywhere. They can move you to another date or a nearby open airport.
Cali is the largest working hub and a common fallback. From there, buses and taxis reach much of the coffee region by road.
Keep receipts for any extra costs you take on. Airlines and travel insurance may cover changes forced by the closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly into Pereira?
No, not on a scheduled flight. As of 13 August 2026 Pereira’s Matecana is closed to commercial service, with no reopening date.
Which airports are open?
As of 13 August 2026, Cali, Quibdo, Armenia, Buenaventura and Manizales have reopened. Pereira, Cartago and Popayan remain closed to normal flights.
Should I rebook?
If you were flying through Pereira, Cartago or Popayan, yes, contact your airline. For the reopened airports, confirm your flight but you may not need to change it.
How do I check?
Check your airline’s app first, then Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority, for official notices. Because the list changes fast, confirm on the day you travel.
Sources: Aeronautica Civil de Colombia (Aerocivil) post-earthquake airport updates, 10-13 August 2026; reported by Infobae and Semana.
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