Colombia is preparing for a major leap in its transportation infrastructure with the planned inauguration of a new international airport by the end of 2025. The project, which has been under development for several years, is expected to ease congestion at existing airports, promote regional development, and strengthen Colombia’s role as a key hub for air travel in Latin America.
In a move to reshape the Caribbean region’s role in Colombia’s aviation map, the national government has officially announced the ‘Los Garzones Airport’, located in the city of Monteria, will be upgrades to fully support international operations.
This long-anticipated expansion aims to position Monteria, the capital of the department of Cordoba, as a strategic logistics and tourism hub in northern Colombia. With rising passenger demand, a booming regional economy, and increasing interest from airlines, the transformation of ‘Los Garzones’ into a full-fledged international airport is being hailed as a turning point for the region.
The investment includes the acquisition of biometric equipment and differentiated X-ray scanners for domestic and international flights. The expected initial route is to Panama, with a frequency of two to three flights per week, operated by an aircraft with a capacity of approximately 150 passengers.
A vision for regional integration and modernization
According to Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority, the airport will undergo significant infrastructure and service improvements to meet international standards. The expansion includes: the construction of a new international terminal with dedicated customs and immigration facilities, runaway enhancements to accommodate wide-body aircraft, the expansion of cargo logistics zones for agricultural and livestock exports, the installation of advanced air navigation and safety systems, and the creation of direct routes to Central America, North America, and the Caribbean. This means that starting late 2025, passengers will no longer have to travel to Bogota as the only departure point for international flights.
Transport Minister William Camargo highlighted the importance of decentralizing Colombia’s aviation infrastructure, saying “Monteria is ready to take on a bigger role. With Los Garzone becoming an international airport, we’re not only improving connectivity- we’re also creating a new economic engine for the Caribbean region”.
Why is Monteria becoming a strategic hub in Colombia?
Located near the Caribbean coast and along the Sinu River, Monteria is often called “the pearl of the Caribbean savanna”. It’s a city with deep agricultural roots, a strong cattle industry, and growing tourism potential. Despite this, it has long been overshadowed by larger cities like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta when it comes to international connectivity. However, the landscape is changing.
The Monteria metropolitan area has witnessed rapid population growth, urban development, and a surge in demand for both domestic and international travel. Currently, Los Garzones serves 1 million passengers per year, a number projected to doble within the next five years.
Business leaders in the region have emphasized the need for a logistics corridor that can serve not just Monteria, but neighboring departments such as Sucre, Cordoba, and northern Antioquia. The internationalization of the airport would shorten export times and significantly reduce logistics costs for local producers.
Economic impacts and export potential
Colombia’s Caribbean region is rich in natural resources and agricultural output, and Cordoba is no exception. Known for its livestock, rice, plantain, cassava and artisanal cheese, the region’s exports have long been hindered by the lack of direct international air links.
With a fully international airport, fresh products, could be flown directly to markets in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, reducing reliance on trucking goods to Medelin or Bogota. This is particularly critical for perishable agricultural products, flowers, and meat exports.
The tourism industry is also poised to benefit. Monteria is surrounded by natural reserves, beaches, rivers, and eco-tourism destinations, many which remain underdeveloped but hold high potential for international visitors. With a direct flight from Miami, Panama City, or Mexico City, the once-sleepy region could become a rising destination in Colombia.
Project scope, investment and Timeline
According to the Aerocivil and the Ministry of Transport, the total investment for the airport’s modernization is expected to exceed USD $150 million, financed through a mix of public funds and private sector partnerships.
The launch of the inaugural international routes will take place by 2026 initially to Panama, Miami, and possibly Cancun. Authorities have yet to release further details on the matter.
As for now, and according to local officials, environmental impact assessments have been approved, and the government has committed to expanding access roads and improving intermodal connectivity to and from the airport.
A new chapter for the Colombian Caribbean
If successful, the expansion of ‘Los Garzones’ will mark a historic milestone for Monteria and the broader region. It signals not just better connectivity, but inclusion, ensuring that regional cities are no longer left behind in Colombia’s path toward modernization and global integration.
As the project moves forward, Monteria may soon emerge not just as a thriving regional capital, but as a new gateway to the world.