PZS · medium airport

Maquehue Airport

Temuco, Chile

Airports

PZSmedium airport

Maquehue Airport

Temuco, Chile

Explore Temuco city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

SCTC

ICAO

304 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Temuco's historic airport serving Chile's Araucanía region.

Location

Temuco, Chile

Maquehue Airport (IATA: PZS, ICAO: SCTC) is a civilian and military airport located in Temuco, the capital of Chile's Araucanía Region. Situated approximately 6 kilometers south of the city center, it has historically served as the primary air gateway to the region. The airport shares its facilities with the Chilean Air Force's Base Aérea Maquehue, reflecting its dual civil-military character. Due to capacity and operational limitations, Temuco's air traffic has been gradually transitioning to the newer La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), located outside Temuco in Freire, which opened in 2013 and has increasingly taken over commercial operations. Maquehue Airport's role in scheduled commercial aviation has diminished significantly since La Araucanía Airport began operations, though it retains importance for general aviation, military, and some regional activities.

Terminals

The airport has a modest single terminal structure designed for limited domestic passenger operations.

Getting to & from

The airport is accessible by road approximately 6 kilometers from Temuco's city center, with taxi and private vehicle options available.

Airlines here

Commercial scheduled service has largely shifted to La Araucanía Airport, with Maquehue primarily supporting general aviation rather than major airline hubs.

Notable facts

›Maquehue Airport is co-located with Chile's Air Force Base Aérea Maquehue, giving it a dual civil-military function.
›La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), opened in 2013, has largely replaced Maquehue for scheduled commercial airline services.
›The airport is situated roughly 6 km south of downtown Temuco.
›Temuco is the largest city in Patagonian Chile and serves as the gateway to the Lake District.
›The IATA code PZS is no longer actively used for commercial scheduled flights due to the transition to ZCO.

Wikipedia

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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to Chilean Patagonia's forests, rivers, and Mapuche heartland

Maquehue Airport serves Temuco, the capital of Chile's La Araucanía region and a city deeply rooted in Mapuche culture. Located roughly 6 kilometres south of the city centre, the airport has historically been the primary air access point for the region, though it has faced capacity limitations that prompted planning for a replacement facility. It connects Temuco to Santiago and a handful of domestic destinations, supporting both tourism and regional commerce.

Terminals

Main Terminal — A single modest terminal handling all domestic arrivals and departures with basic passenger amenities.

Ground Transport

Taxi services available at the terminal exit
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Cabify operating in Temuco
Shared transfer shuttles to Temuco city centre
Car rental desks inside the terminal (limited availability)

Nearby Hotels

Hotel Dreams Araucanía Temuco
Sonesta Hotel Temuco
Holiday Inn Express Temuco
Hotel Don Eduardo Temuco

Dining

Food options inside the terminal are limited to a small café and snack kiosk, so arriving passengers may prefer to eat in Temuco itself. The city centre offers a wide range of Chilean and Mapuche-inspired cuisine, including local specialities such as cazuela and sopaipillas. Mercado Municipal de Temuco, a short drive away, is a popular destination for fresh local produce and traditional food stalls.

Traveller Tips

Arrive early as the terminal is small and check-in queues can move slowly during peak travel periods.
Confirm your flight status in advance, as Temuco's weather can cause delays, particularly in winter.
Carry Chilean pesos for taxis, as card acceptance is not guaranteed at the terminal.
If visiting Mapuche cultural sites or Parque Nacional Conguillío, arrange a rental car in advance as local transport options are limited.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

Hotels near PZS

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

Where

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Rooms

IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.