# Jose Maria Córdova International Airport (MDE)

> Medellín, CO · IATA: MDE · ICAO: SKRG · Medium Airport · Cargo Hub

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IATA | `MDE` |
| ICAO | `SKRG` |
| City | Medellín |
| Country | CO |
| Type | Medium Airport |
| Elevation | 2120 m |
| Cargo | ✅ |
| GPS | 6.16454, -75.42310 |

## Description

About 90 percent of the air cargo leaving José María Córdova International Airport (IATA: MDE, ICAO: SKRG) near Rionegro consists of cut flowers, making Colombia's second airport after Bogotá El Dorado one of Latin America's leading perishables export stations. The airport handled some 14 million passengers in 2025, beyond its design capacity, and moved more than 18,000 tonnes of cargo in the opening months of the year alone, with sharp peaks ahead of Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Avianca Cargo bases its freight operation here and offers the largest capacity at the airport, while LATAM Cargo is regarded as the biggest carrier of Colombian flowers to the United States; Miami (MIA) is the dominant destination and onward distribution point. Roses and carnations travel alongside fruit and other perishables in an unbroken cold chain, supported by expanded cargo terminal facilities and clearance through Colombia's DIAN customs authority. The Medellín-Rionegro motorway connects the apron to the industrial and textile economy of the Aburrá Valley, though the 2,120-metre elevation caps maximum take-off weight for heavy freighters. A phased expansion programme foresees a second runway and a new terminal, lifting long-term capacity above 200,000 tonnes of cargo a year. For forwarders, MDE is a cargo station in its own right, with Bogotá (BOG) as the alternative for imports and intercontinental traffic.

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*Freight Academy — Airport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/jose-maria-cordova-international-airport-mde](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/jose-maria-cordova-international-airport-mde)*

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