Balboa Airport

Balboa Airport, designated with the ICAO code CO-0080, is a small regional airstrip located near Unguía, a municipality in the Chocó department of northwestern Colombia. The facility serves as a critical air access point for a remote area bordered by dense jungle and the Gulf of Urabá, where road connectivity is extremely limited due to the Darién Gap. The airport primarily handles light aircraft and small regional flights, connecting the isolated community of Unguía with larger urban centers such as Medellín and Quibdó. Given the lack of paved roads in the region, air transport is one of the most practical means of travel for both residents and goods. The surrounding area is characterized by biodiversity, indigenous communities, and complex security considerations historically associated with the Darién region. The airstrip plays a vital logistical role for humanitarian, government, and commercial activities in this underserved part of Colombia.