Asuncion International Airport is formally named Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi. It is the main international airport for flights to and from Asuncion.

Before I continue with this article I must explain that it is written reflecting more normal times. I expect the airport to still be standing long after the current virus has ceased to be a concern. As such the airport is presented as a fully functioning one.

The airport is located in the Asuncion suburb of Luque. Luque was previously a town apart from Asuncion but has long since been swallowed up within an expanding Greater Asuncion. It is 10km east of the city center which is accessible along good roads from the airport.

Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi is named after one of the pioneers of flight in Asuncion. A mock up of his plane is on display within the airport terminal. Previously the airport was named Aeropuerto Alfredo Stroessner. With the fall of his dictatorship this name became inappropriate and the airport received its current name.

The airport consists of just one terminal. Within this there are two concourses leading to six gates. There are plans for the capacity of the airport to be expanded. There is ample space available for such extensions.

The airport has just one main runway. This is a little over 3.3km long. Sufficient to cope with the largest of modern jets. The runway is shared with the Nu Guasu Military Airbase which is located opposite to airport.

During the 1960s and 1970s there were direct log haul flights to Madrid and Frankfurt flown by Iberia and Lufthansa respectively. These flights were however eventually cancelled and for many years the airport handled only short haul flights within South America.

In recent years the situation has changed. First with Copa Air flying to Panama. Then in 2015 after 21 years without any direct flights to Europe Air Europa began regular flights between Asuncion and Madrid. Despite this however the majority of flights remain short haul mainly to Brazil and Argentina.

Although small all the usual airport facilities are available. Gift shops, cafes, duty free, parking and taxis. The last time I flew into Asuncion I went from plane to taxi in little more than 15 minutes. The advantage of using a small airport.

The airport has no more than a dozen arrivals and departures each day. Many of these acting as feeder flights for larger airports. On these flights are carried slightly over one million passengers per year. It is the hub for LATAM Paraguay.

The small number of flights the airport handles are spread out across the day. The result of this is that for much of the day the airport sits almost deserted. Then as a departure approaches it slowly fills. For a short while the airport looks a busy crowded place. Then the passengers board their plane and the airport returns to its slumber awaiting the next rush.

I have always found Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi an easy place to use. The staff are always helpful and efficient. Also due to its size everything within it is very clear.

The only time I met with any delays was once when returning from Europe I was last to collect my baggage from the carousel. I had two well filled suitcases and it was a couple of hours before the next flight arrived. Accordingly it was not that surprising that I was stopped by customs officials needing something to do to fill their time.