Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport – BAQ Colombia
The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, BAQ, is one of the primary airports that serve the northern areas of Barranquilla, Colombia. Named after Colombian pilot Ernesto Cortissoz, it has both domestic and international terminals and is operated by the Operadora Aeroportuaria del Caribe S.A.S. The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport is both a commercial and military airport and also plays an important role in facilitating Baranquilla’s cargo transportations. It can accommodate aircraft as wide as the Airbus A340.
Best Time to Visit
Ernesto Cortissoz was one of the founders of SCADTA, or Sociedad Colombo Alemana de Transportes Aéreos, which was responsible for constructing the first wave of commercial airports in Colombia. Ironically, it was his very business that led to his demise in 1924, when a plane that he and other company members were on crashed in one of the first ever recorded plane crashes in Colombia’s history. Another incident involved with the airport included a DC-10 crashing off of the runway while attempting to land in bad weather, where all crew members were injured. Despite these accidents, the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport still remains a source of pride for many Colombians. As of 2016, its year passenger intake was estimated to be near 3 million. Cities and areas neighboring the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport include San Diego, Isla Grande, Turbaco, Crespo, and Ararca.
What to Do & Area Attractions
The Hotel Baly Express is 1.7 miles from the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, while the Hotel Boutique Campanario del Rio and the Habitacion Cerca Aeropuerto are each 2.1 miles away, respectively. An alternative airport in Colombia located in Cartagena is the Rafael Nunez International Airport.
