SKEJ Barrancabermeja Yariguies
Yariguíes Airport is the main air terminal serving Barrancabermeja and the entire Magdalena Medio region. It plays a key role, more regional than international, but is fundamental for the connectivity of a strategic oil-producing area in Colombia.
General Information
IATA Code: EJA
ICAO Code: SKEJ
Location: Approximately 6–10 km from the city center of Barrancabermeja
Type: Public Airport
Operator: Aerocivil / Concession to Aeropuertos de Oriente
Yariguíes Airport is the main air terminal serving Barrancabermeja and the entire Magdalena Medio region. It plays a key role, more regional than international, but is fundamental for the connectivity of a strategic oil-producing area in Colombia.
General Information
IATA Code: EJA
ICAO Code: SKEJ
Location: Approximately 6–10 km from the city center of Barrancabermeja
Type: Public Airport
Operator: Aerocivil / Concession to Aeropuertos de Oriente
Altitude: ~397 feet (121 m)
Technical Characteristics
Runway:
Single runway 04/22
Length: 1,800 meters
Surface: Asphalt
It has lighting for night operations and its own control tower.
This allows for the operation of regional aircraft such as the ATR-72 or small jets, but limits larger aircraft.
History and Evolution
It was inaugurated in 1957.
Its name honors the Yariguíes indigenous people, who inhabited the Middle Magdalena region.
In 2013, it underwent a major modernization:
Expansion of terminals and check-in counters
Improvements to baggage handling and the apron
Increased passenger capacity
This aimed to strengthen connectivity for a city that is key to the oil industry.
Operation and Routes
It is primarily a domestic airport.
The most important route:
Barrancabermeja ↔ Bogotá
Airlines that have operated:
Avianca
EasyFly / Clic (regional)
It is not a high-traffic airport, but it is vital for business travel, the oil industry, and quick connections to the capital.
Strategic Importance
Barrancabermeja is one of the country's most important oil centers, so the airport:
Facilitates the transport of technical and business personnel
Supports industrial operations
Reduces travel times compared to ground transportation
Operational Characteristics
Can be affected by weather conditions (frequent fog)
Operates under instrument flight rules in some cases
Has moderate traffic (dozens of daily operations during peak times)
In summary
Yariguíes Airport is neither large nor international, but it is strategic:
Connects the Magdalena Medio region with Bogotá
Supports the oil economy
Has been modernized to improve its capacity
