Reyes Murillo (Nuquí) Airport serves the remote coastal town of Nuquí on Colombia’s Pacific coast in the Department of Chocó, a humid tropical environment with limited access. Operated by Aeronáutica Civil (Aerocivil), the airport plays a vital role in regional connectivity, medical transport, and eco-tourism — especially during the internationally recognized humpback whale migration season.
Following a major runway expansion completed in 2023, the airport’s weekly capacity increased to over 1,400 seats through airlines like SATENA, Pacifica de Aviación, and San Germán Express. So, the Reyes Murillo Airport required a reliable, autonomous runway lighting system capable of supporting increased traffic. Conventional wired AGL was not feasible due to cost, maintenance complexity, and grid limitations.
Image source: mintransporte.gov.co
The requirements for airfield lighting included full independence from electrical power, immunity to tropical humidity and corrosion, and minimal civil works. The system had to fit the economic profile of a remote regional airport, as well as support increased traffic after the runway expansion.
Thus, Aerocivil did not consider traditional wired AGL solutions for Reyes Murillo Airport’s operations due to several vital constraints, such as:
As a result, alternative solutions, such as solar airfield lighting systems, were identified and evaluated.
To identify the most suitable solution for the airport, Aerocivil conducted a comprehensive analysis of available solar airfield lighting systems, including a detailed feasibility study covering operational, performance, and financial criteria. Based on the assessment, S4GA’s solar airfield lighting solution demonstrated the strongest overall results among the evaluated options.
As a result, Aerocivil selected the S4GA system, enabling 100% grid-independent operation and suitability for tropical, high-humidity operating conditions. Additionally, it offered:
Installation and commissioning were provided by MC Universal, the reputable AGL integrator and S4GA official partner in the region. The team is also responsible for ongoing maintenance support. Their professional capability in working with solar AGL is further demonstrated through the successful completion of comprehensive product training at the S4GA Centre of Excellence in Poland.
By deploying solar runway lighting at Nuquí, Aerocivil strengthened its role as a responsible national operator supporting regional development through reliable air connectivity — the airport now offers more regular flights both for locals and tourists.
The system enables safe and predictable operations at a remote airport, ensuring continued access for passenger transport, medical flights, and essential services in a region where conventional infrastructure is limited.
This decision reflects Aerocivil’s broader responsibility to develop and sustain regional connectivity by investing in infrastructure suited to real operating conditions.
For more information about this project, please contact Dmytro Kuczeruk, Aviation Infrastructure & AGL Systems Expert.
