The nearest town is San Benito, 14 kilometres (9 mi) to the east.

[4] The Managua VOR-DME (Ident: MGA) is located 12.7 nautical miles (24 km) south of the airport.

After Humberto Ortega revealed that Nicaragua had approached France and the Soviet Union for Mirage or MiG fighter planes, the United States warned against introducing modern combat jets to the region.

Although Nicaragua began construction of the new airbase with a longer runway and protective revetments, it did not succeed in acquiring new fighter aircraft.

The 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) runway allows the landing of all types of aircraft, including large airplanes such as the Boeing 747.