Remote Atacama Desert gateway serving Chile's El Salvador mining region.
Location
El Salvador, Chile
Ricardo García Posada Airport (IATA: ESR, ICAO: SCES) is a small regional airport located near the town of El Salvador in the Atacama Region (Region III) of northern Chile. It primarily serves the mining community associated with the El Salvador copper mine, operated historically by Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper company.
The airport handles limited commercial and charter traffic, connecting the isolated high-altitude mining town with larger Chilean cities. Its remote location in the Atacama Desert means it serves a highly specific population of mine workers, executives, and local residents rather than tourist or transit passengers.
Terminals
The airport has a single small terminal building suited to its limited regional traffic volume.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options are limited, with road access via local routes connecting the airport to the town of El Salvador and surrounding mining facilities.
Airlines here
The airport is served primarily by regional and charter carriers connecting El Salvador to Santiago and other Chilean cities, with no major international airline presence.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Ricardo García Posada, a figure associated with the region's history.
- ›Situated in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth.
- ›Primarily serves the El Salvador copper mine operated by Codelco.
- ›Located at significant elevation in Chile's Atacama Region (Region III).
- ›Handles limited scheduled flights due to the small population of the mining town.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.