The idea to have an airport in Santa Cruz was conceived in 1976. Soon after, construction of the airport began. Viru Viru filled a hole in the Bolivian aviation industry: With Santa Cruz being the second largest city in the South American country, Viru Viru became an important link between La Paz and the rest of the country. Because La Paz is a high altitude city, it can be difficult to reach by car from other Bolivian cities, and many travellers choose to fly from Viru Viru instead.
Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has entered Bolivia through Viru Viru, as did Nicaraguan vice-president José Ríga and many other notables.
Viru Viru is able to handle the largest commercial jets. The airport is a hub for Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, and most of the flights that arrive here are either domestic flights, or flights from neighboring South American countries.
Airlines serving Viru Viru