Barranquilla Airport Briefly Closed After Aerosucre Cargo Plane Landing Gear Failure
A temporary closure of Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla, Colombia, occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, following a critical incident involving an Aerosucre airline cargo aircraft. The disruption, triggered by a landing gear failure during takeoff, prompted a swift response from airport authorities and impacted numerous scheduled flights.
Incident Details and Airport Response
The Aerosucre plane experienced the mechanical issue immediately upon initiating its ascent. According to reports, the aircraft was able to return to the airport under emergency protocols, but remained blocking the runway. This necessitated the immediate suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights to ensure passenger and operational safety.
“The priority was, and remains, the safety of all involved,” a senior official stated.
Authorities quickly initiated an assessment of potential damage to the airport’s infrastructure resulting from the incident. While the runway was blocked, there were fortunately no reported injuries among passengers or crew.
Airline Response and Passenger Protections
The disruption caused significant ripple effects for travelers. Both Avianca and Latam, major airlines serving the region, proactively activated their passenger protection plans. These plans are designed to mitigate the impact of unforeseen delays and cancellations, offering rebooking options and other forms of assistance to affected passengers.
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Ongoing Assessment and Future Operations
The airport remained closed for a period while crews worked to remove the disabled aircraft and inspect the runway for any structural damage. The duration of the closure underscored the importance of rigorous maintenance checks and emergency preparedness protocols at international airports.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in air travel and the critical role of swift, decisive action in mitigating potential risks. While the airport has since reopened, the investigation into the cause of the landing gear failure is ongoing, and its findings will likely inform future safety procedures.
