Ástor Piazzola International Airport

SAZM / MDQ

Mar del Plata, AR

Last Updated
Feb 17, 04:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
04:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 17°C
0 kt
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SAZM 170400Z 00000KT 9999 FEW015 17/17 Q1016

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 72 ft
FEW 1,500 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
1,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,572 ft AMSL

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SAZM 162300Z 1700/1724 10010KT CAVOK TX25/1718Z TN16/1710Z BECMG 1701/1703 7000 SCT010 BECMG 1705/1707 VRB03KT 3000 BR SCT008 PROB40 1707/1710 0800 FG OVC005 BECMG 1710/1712 02010KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
05:32Z BASE
+0h
VFR 100° 10 kt
Visibility: >10km
07:00Z PROB40
+2h
LIFR
Visibility: 0.8 km
Ceiling: 500 ft
Fog
10:00Z BECMG
+5h
VFR 20° 10 kt
Visibility: >10km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
AZM
13
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
13/31 7,218 ft 148 ft ASP 123°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
123° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SAZM

3,672 observations | Sep 2025 - Feb 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
78.3%
MVFR
10.3%
IFR
5.5%
LIFR
5.9%

Ástor Piazzola International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 78.3% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 9.2 knots. Temperature extremes range from 0°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, February, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 9.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 28 kt
Calm Winds: 5.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
18.4%
NE
9.7%
E
15.4%
SE
6.1%
S
13.7%
SW
7.7%
W
9.6%
NW
14.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 17.4°C
Range: 0°C to 38°C
0°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 9%

Best Months for VFR

November February January

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt

Statistics computed from 3,672 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Feb 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ástor Piazzola International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SAZM
IATA Code: MDQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 72 ft MSL

Location

City: Mar del Plata
Country: AR
Latitude: -37.934200°
Longitude: -57.573300°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+4

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 7,218 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ástor Piazzola International Airport

Overview

Ástor Piazzola International Airport serves Mar del Plata, Argentina, as a key medium-sized airport located at coordinates -37.934200, -57.573300. Situated at an elevation of 72 feet mean sea level, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the coastal urban region. Its single runway (13/31) spans 7,218 feet with an asphalt surface, supporting regional and potentially some international commercial operations.

Flying Conditions

Mar del Plata's coastal location suggests variable meteorological conditions typical of maritime environments. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and rapid weather transitions due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The airport's moderate elevation and coastal positioning likely generate dynamic wind patterns that could affect approach and departure procedures.

Notable Features

The airport's runway orientation (13/31) indicates a northwest-southeast alignment, which may interact significantly with local terrain and coastal wind patterns. Its asphalt runway configuration suggests the ability to handle medium-sized aircraft typical of regional and domestic routes. The 7,218-foot runway length provides substantial operational flexibility for most commercial and regional aircraft types.

Approach Considerations

Runway 31 appears to be the primary approach direction given the airport's geographical orientation. Pilots should prepare for potential crosswind conditions due to the airport's coastal location. Standard instrument approach procedures will be crucial given the airport's maritime environment and potential for rapidly changing meteorological conditions.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.