Comayagua Colonial City Center
15 minutes from XPL — one of Honduras's finest and most overlooked colonial cities. The Plaza Central anchors a historic district of 16th and 17th-…
Comayagua — Comayagua Valley. 20 min to Comayagua / 60 min to Tegucigalpa.
Palmerola International Airport (IATA: XPL, ICAO: MHPR) is Honduras's newest and most modern international airport, inaugurated in October 2021 on the site of the former Soto Cano Air Base — the U.S. military installation that served as the principal American military hub in Central America throughout the Cold War and the 1980s conflicts in the region.
At 1,004 meters above sea level in the Comayagua Valley — one of Honduras's most fertile highland agricultural zones — XPL has a longer runway than SAP (2,896 meters) and significantly superior terminal infrastructure, representing the first purpose-built civilian international terminal in Honduras to meet contemporary international standards. The airport was designed as the future primary international gateway for the country, gradually assuming traffic from the aging Toncontín Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa.
Comayagua, 15 minutes from XPL, is one of the finest colonial cities in Central America — the original capital of Honduras until the late 19th century, with a cathedral (Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción) begun in 1539 that houses the oldest clock in the Americas (originally from the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, donated to Comayagua in 1636). The colonial historic center, preserved with remarkable completeness, provides a genuinely outstanding architectural and historical experience that most visitors to Honduras miss entirely because they focus exclusively on the Bay Islands.
For private aviation, XPL's modern infrastructure, long runway at altitude (eliminating the density altitude performance penalties of coastal airports), and relatively uncongested airspace make it an increasingly attractive alternative to both SAP and TGU for private jet arrivals into Honduras.
15 minutes from XPL — one of Honduras's finest and most overlooked colonial cities. The Plaza Central anchors a historic district of 16th and 17th-…
The centerpiece of Comayagua's colonial heritage — a baroque cathedral begun in 1539 whose most extraordinary feature is a Moorish astronomical clo…
Honduras's only natural lake, 1 hour from XPL — a 75-square-kilometer freshwater lake surrounded by two national parks and home to over 400 recorde…
1.5 hours from XPL — the cloud forest reserve above Tegucigalpa is one of Honduras's most accessible primary forest areas. Established as a protect…
2 hours from XPL by private vehicle heading west on the CA-5 — the finest Maya archaeological site in the world for artistic quality. See the SAP a…
Palmerola International Airport (IATA: XPL, ICAO: MHPR) is Honduras's newest international airport, opened in 2021 on the former Soto Cano military base near Comayagua. 2,896m asphalt runway, 1,004m elevation, 24/7 operations. It has superior terminal infrastructure to SAP and is positioned as the future primary international gateway for Honduras.
XPL was designed specifically to reduce traffic from the challenging Toncontín Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa, which has one of the most demanding instrument approaches in the Americas due to its mountain-valley location. Many airlines that previously served TGU are gradually moving to XPL. Currently both airports operate, with XPL handling an increasing share of traffic.
XPL is approximately 80 kilometers north of Tegucigalpa — a 1-hour drive on the CA-5 highway. The drive is straightforward and well-maintained. Several transport companies operate shuttle services between XPL and Tegucigalpa.
Yes — XPL's modern infrastructure and long runway (2,896m at 1,004m elevation) make it well-suited for private aviation. The altitude is comfortable for business jet performance calculations. AeroRide coordinates private arrivals and departures at XPL. Contact us for FBO coordination and ground arrangements.
XPL has a 2,896-meter (9,501 ft) asphalt runway at 1,004m elevation. 24/7 operations. ICAO: MHPR. This is the longest runway in Honduras, capable of handling all commercial and private aircraft categories.
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