La Chinita International Airport - MAR Venezuela
La Chinita International Airport, MAR, is both a public and military government-owned airport that operates out of Maracaibo, Venezuela. It is one of Venezuela’s busiest and major airports, accommodating 2.8 million passengers in 2008. The airport has two runways - one concrete and one asphalt-which extend to lengths of 9,843 feet and 8,202 feet, respectively. The airlines serving in the La Chinita International Airport include Conviasa, LASER Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Turpial Airlines.
Best Time to Visit
Originally, La Chinita International Airport was to be named Caujarito Airport after land near it. The name was changed to La Chinita in honor of the saint the Lady of Chiquinquira. La Chinita International Airport was opened in 1969 by then Venezuelan President Rafael Caldera in an effort to encourage more interaction with the other regions of Spain. The Maracaibo VORTAC helps facilitate air navigation of the aircraft from the airport through radio waves. In 1971, a Vickers Viscount aircraft crashed after taking off from La Chinita International Airport, leading to a few casualties. Cities near the airport at Maracaibo include Barinas, Santa Marta, Cabimas, San Cristobal, and Soledad.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Hotels in Maracaibo that are accessible to and from La Chinita International Airport are the Hotel Kristoff, El Gran Hotel Delicias, Crowne Plaza Maruma Hotel & Casino, and InterContinental Maracaibo. The Economia Seguridad y Tranquilidad is a more budget-friendly option, but still one with convenient amenities. The nearest alternative airports are out of Maracaibo, but within Venezuela, such as the Josefa Camejo International Airport in Paraguana.