Scarlett Martínez International Airport , also known as Río Hato Airport, is an international airport serving Río Hato, a town in the Coclé Province of Panama. The airport is east of Río Hato.
International airport
In 2011 the government of Panama gave the order to proceed with a project to rebuild the airport. The restoration work included rehabilitation of the runway and airport terminal, and construction of a tunnel for the Pan-American Highway, which previously crossed the runway. The $53.2 million project was awarded through a public bidding process. The project was supervised by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and lasted 14 months.
President Ricardo Martinelli said the new Scarlett Martínez Airport at Río Hato would bring benefits and opportunities for area residents. The airport would allow Panama City's Tocumen International Airport to accept more flights for business and connecting flights in an effort to secure Panama's position as a hub for business and commercial activity in the region. It will serve to boost tourism along the Pacific beaches of Panama, where several beach resorts and condo developments are located. President Martinelli confirmed that the airport would be used by charter companies from the United States, Canada, and Europe. The airport was officially opened by President Martinelli on 13 November 2013.
The runway is inland from the Pacific coastline. South approach and departure are over the water. The Rio Hato VOR-DME (Ident: RHT) is located on the field.
Airlines and destinations
History
Río Hato Army Air Base
Established in 1931, during World War II Río Hato Army Air Base was used by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force as part of the defense of the Panama Canal. It was closed as an active Air Force facility in 1948 but was used as an USAF auxiliary military landing field as late as 1990 as part of Howard Air Force Base.
Units assigned to the base were: 28th Pursuit Squadron (37th Pursuit Group), 5 October – 13 November 1940 (Boeing P-26 Peashooter) 30th Pursuit Squadron (37th Pursuit Group), 5 October – 13 November 1940 (Boeing P-26 Peashooter) 31st Pursuit Squadron (37th Pursuit Group), 5 October – 13 November 1940 (Boeing P-26 Peashooter) 1st Bombardment Squadron (9th Bombardment Group), 13 November 1940 – 24 April 1941 (B-18 Bolo) 5th Bombardment Squadron (9th Bombardment Group), 13 November 1940 – 28 September 1941 (B-18 Bolo) 99th Bombardment Squadron (9th Bombardment Group), 13 November 1940 – 3 December 1941 (B-18 Bolo) 59th Bombardment Squadron (9th Bombardment Group) 1 January – 28 October 1941 (A-20 Havoc) Headquarters, 32d Pursuit Group, 1 January – 9 December 1941 51st Pursuit Squadron, 21 August – 10 December 1941 (Boeing P-26 Peashooter, Curtiss P-36 Hawk) 52d Pursuit Squadron, 21 August 1941 – 23 March 1944 (P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra) 53d Pursuit Squadron, 21 August – 12 December 1941 (Boeing P-26 Peashooter, Curtiss P-36 Hawk) 4th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Caribbean Air Command), 20 August 1946 – 1 December 1947 (CQ-3, PQ-14) 414th Fighter Squadron (6th Fighter Wing) 24 March – 1 September 1947 (P-61 Black Widow) 319th Fighter Squadron (6th Fighter Wing) 1 September 1947 – 14 January 1948 (P-61 Black Widow) Headquarters, 6th Bombardment Group, 9 December 1941 – 14 January 1943 3d Bombardment Squadron 8 December 1941 – 4 May 1942 (B-18 Bolo) 26 August – 8 December 1944; 19 October 1945 – 1 November 1946 (B-24 Liberator) 25th Bombardment Squadron, 8 December 1941 – 21 January 1942 (B-18 Bolo) 74th Bombardment Squadron 11 December 1941 – 9 January 1942 (B-18 Bolo) 7–21 August 1944; 1 May 1945 – 1 November 1946 (B-24 Liberator) 108th Reconnaissance Squadron (72d Observation Group) 14–19 January 1942 (B-18 Bolo) 395th Bombardment Squadron (40th, 6th Bombardment Groups) 17 June 1942 – 16 June 1943 (Northrup A-17 Nomad, B-24 Liberator) 396th Bombardment Squadron (VI Bomber Command) 4 May 1943 – 7 April 1944 (B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator) 6 February 1945 – 1 November 1946 (B-24 Liberator) 397th Bombardment Squadron (6th Bombardment Group, VI Bomber Command) 4 May 1943 – 7 April 1944 6 February 1945 – 1 November 1946 25th Bombardment Squadron (VI Bomber Command), 9 September – 8 December 1944; 27 January – 26 April 1945; October 1945 – 1 November 1946 B-24 Liberator