El Loa Airport

Overview

El Loa Airport is the main air gateway for Calama in northern Chile, handling regional air traffic for a city that sits high in the Atacama Desert. Identified by IATA code CJC and ICAO code SCCF, it is classified as a medium airport and is an important arrival point for travellers heading to Calama for business, mining-related travel, or onward journeys into the surrounding desert landscapes. Its elevation of 7,543 feet (2,299 m) is worth noting, because some visitors may feel the dry air and altitude soon after landing, especially if they have come from sea level.

At a glance

• Serves: Calama, Chile
• Airport codes: CJC and SCCF
• Airport type: medium airport
• Elevation: 7,543 ft / 2,299 m
• Runway: 10/28, 9,974 ft, asphalt, lighted
• Time zone: America/Santiago

What travellers should know

The airport’s single lighted asphalt runway, designated 10/28, is just under 10,000 feet long, which supports regular commercial operations while helping aircraft performance at this high-altitude location. For passengers, the most practical thing to remember is timing: always check local time in the America/Santiago zone when planning pickups, onward transport, or hotel arrivals. Because Calama’s climate is typically dry and sunny, it is smart to keep water handy, protect yourself from the sun, and allow a little extra time to adjust after arrival if you are sensitive to altitude.