Santa Elena Airport, Guatemala

The Tikal Tourism Development Project marked a major turning point for the Petén region, with the aim of promoting tourism to its important archaeological sites. One of the central works of the programme was the construction of the new Santa Elena Airport, a facility strategically located on the shores of Lake Petén Itza.

Its central location facilitates access to the archaeological site of Tikal, one of the most famous wonders of Mayan civilisation. As such, the airport is a transport hub that not only better connects the region, but is also crucial to increasing the flow of tourists to these ancient ruins.

Among the main activities of the project, earth moving was one of the most demanding challenges. Work was carried out day and night to make the most of the dry season and a total of 1,500,000m3 of material was moved in the time allotted.

Another key stage was the installation of the tensofiltration membrane, which ensured the stability of the soil, and the granular material. This work was also carried out in continuous shifts, taking advantage of the short dry season window.

But it was the construction of the runway, which began in November 1978 and was completed in August 1980, that was the most important part of the project: the infrastructure required constant and meticulous effort, culminating in a runway that supports air traffic to one of Guatemala's most fascinating destinations.