Proposal to build international airport in Venezuela's Merecure

Venezuela's air transport infrastructure faces a critical need for expansion, according to William Bracho, former vice president of the Venezuelan Chamber of Air Transport and Conseturismo. He warns that the country cannot indefinitely rely on the existing infrastructure to substitute operations at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, which historically handles approximately 80% of Venezuela's air traffic.

Bracho advocates for reviving a project to construct a high-capacity international terminal in Merecure, located about 10 kilometers from Caucagua in the Acevedo municipality of Miranda state. This site was designated in the 1982 National Transport Plan as a prime location for new airport facilities. Bracho, who coordinated the air transport chapter of that plan, believes Merecure's terrain offers optimal topographical, climatic, and wind conditions for developing parallel runways and extensive terminals.

He highlighted that Merecure is approximately 50 minutes away from major centers and possesses the necessary characteristics for a large-scale airport. This proposal addresses the recurring need for an alternative international airport in Venezuela, especially considering that other airports like Valencia and Barcelona, as well as air bases in Palo Negro and Boca del Río, are already operating beyond capacity. Bracho noted that airlines such as Iberia and Air Europa have previously abandoned plans to shift operations to Valencia due to these limitations.

The urgency for alternative airport solutions is underscored by recent events. The Simón Bolívar International Airport experienced damage, leading to temporary operational suspensions and technical assessments of its runways and facilities. This situation further emphasizes the vulnerability of relying on a single primary airport for national and international air movement.