Río Hato Airport

Scarlett Martinez International Airport
Airport grounds
Sunwing Airlines inaugural flight
IATA: RIH ICAO: MPSM
Summary
Airport type	Public
Serves	Rio Hato, Coclé, Panama
Location	Coclé, Panama
Elevation AMSL	32 m / 105 ft
Coordinates	08°22′33″N 080°07′40″W / 8.37583°N 80.12778°W / 8.37583; -80.12778Coordinates: 08°22′33″N 080°07′40″W / 8.37583°N 80.12778°W / 8.37583; -80.12778
Map
MPSM Location in Rio Hato, Coclé, Panamá
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 17/35 2,450 8,038 paved
Source: GCM,

Scarlett Martinez International Airport (IATA: RIH, ICAO: MPSM), is in Río Hato, Coclé, Panama.

In 2011 the government of Panama gave the order to proceed with a project to rebuild the airport. The restoration work will include the 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 will be supervised by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is expected to last 14 months. President Ricardo Martinelli said the new Scarlett Martínez Airport at Río Hato will bring benefits and opportunities for area residents. The airport would allow Panama City’s 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 will be used by charter companies from the United States, Canada, and Europe. In May 2013, it was indicated that the new airport was expected to open in September of that year.

The airport was officially opened by President Martinelli on 13 November 2013.

During Operation Just Cause, The United States Army 2d and 3d Battalions, 75th Ranger Regiment (TF RED ROMEO), departed Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Georgia, at 18:00 on 19 December 1989. Its mission was to seize Río Hato and neutralize the 6th and 7th PDF Infantry Cos. At 01:00 on 20 December, the battalion jumped from C-130s onto the airfield at Río Hato. Both PDF companies had been alerted and fired on the C-130s with small arms and anti-aircraft guns. Despite PDF resistance, the battalion assembled, attacked the barracks, and established an airhead. By morning, the Rangers had accomplished all missions, captured 250 prisoners, and cleared the airfield for future operations.