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Palmerola International Airport

Palmerola, Honduras

Airports
XPLlarge airport

Palmerola International Airport

Palmerola, Honduras
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Routes out
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Destinations
MHPR
ICAO
2061 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Honduras's modern gateway replacing Tegucigalpa's challenging airport.

Opened
2021
Location
Comayagua, Honduras
Palmerola International Airport (IATA: XPL, ICAO: MHPR) is an international airport located near Comayagua, Honduras, approximately 80 kilometers north of the capital Tegucigalpa. It was developed to replace Toncontín International Airport, which was notorious for its extremely difficult and dangerous approach due to surrounding mountains and a short runway. The airport was built on the site of a former U.S. and Honduran military airbase known as Soto Cano Air Base (Palmerola Air Base), which has hosted American military personnel for decades. The civilian terminal was constructed as a public-private partnership to handle growing passenger demand and improve aviation safety in Honduras. Palmerola began commercial operations in 2021, offering flights to destinations in the United States, Central America, and other international routes. It is intended to serve as the primary air gateway for central Honduras, reducing reliance on the operationally constrained Toncontín airport.
Terminals
The airport features a single modern passenger terminal designed to handle both domestic and international flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport between Palmerola and Tegucigalpa is available via shuttle buses and private taxis, with the journey taking approximately 90 minutes.
Airlines here
Airlines operating at Palmerola include American Airlines, United Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Avianca, among others serving regional and U.S. routes.
Notable facts
  • ›Built on the site of Soto Cano Air Base, a longstanding U.S.-Honduran military installation.
  • ›Opened for commercial operations in October 2021.
  • ›Designed to relieve Toncontín International Airport, one of the world's most dangerous airports due to terrain.
  • ›Located near the city of Comayagua, not Tegucigalpa, despite serving the capital region.
  • ›Developed through a public-private partnership between the Honduran government and private investors.
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 Central Honduras where military heritage meets modern travel

Palmerola International Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Palmerola, opened for commercial operations in 2021 near Comayagua, Honduras, serving as a modern alternative to Tegucigalpa's challenging Toncontín Airport. Built on the grounds of Soto Cano Air Base, the airport was developed to handle the growing demand for air travel in the Honduran capital region with a safer and more capable facility. It quickly became a key hub for both domestic connectivity and international routes to North America and beyond.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single modern passenger terminal handling all domestic and international arrivals and departures with contemporary facilities.
Ground Transport
  • Shuttle buses connecting Palmerola to Tegucigalpa city center
  • Taxi services available at the arrivals exit
  • Car rental agencies operating within the terminal
  • Private transfer services bookable in advance
  • Intercity bus connections to Comayagua and surrounding towns
Nearby Hotels
  • Hotel Real Intercontinental Tegucigalpa
  • Marriott Tegucigalpa
  • Hotel Honduras Maya
  • Comayagua Colonial Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Express Tegucigalpa
Dining

The terminal offers a modest selection of cafés and quick-service restaurants catering to travelers with local Honduran staples and international snacks. Options inside the airport are limited given the facility's relatively recent opening, so travelers with long layovers may prefer dining in nearby Comayagua. The city of Comayagua, approximately 15 minutes away, offers a wider range of traditional Honduran cuisine and casual restaurants.

Traveller Tips
  • Allow extra travel time when heading to Tegucigalpa, as the drive can take 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Confirm ground transport arrangements before arrival, as taxi and shuttle options may be limited during off-peak hours.
  • Exchange currency or use ATMs inside the terminal before heading into the city, as options become scarcer on the road.
  • Palmerola sits at a lower elevation than Toncontín, making landings and takeoffs smoother and less weather-dependent.
Official website

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Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Palmerola International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Palmerola International Airport — occasionally known as Comayagua International Airport — is an international airport serving Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Located in Comayagua, it is approximately 60 kilometres northwest of Tegucigalpa city centre. The airport was inaugurated in October 2021 as the country's new international airport for civil and commercial use, replacing the old Toncontín International Airport while it still remains active for domestic and regional flights. It was built at the facilities of the Soto Cano Air Base.

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