Cotopaxi International Airport

SELT / LTX

Latacunga, EC

Last Updated
Mar 4, 03:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 4 hours ago
03:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 7°C
2 kt
180°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SELT 040300Z 18002KT 9999 SCT030 09/07 Q1028

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 9,205 ft
SCT 3,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
3,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
12,205 ft AMSL

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SELT 040500Z 0406/0506 18006KT SCT010 BKN030 BECMG 0413/0415 BKN030 BKN100 TEMPO 0420/0422 16014KT FEW026TCU BKN030 BECMG 0501/0503 SCT030 BKN100 TX18/0419Z TN08/0410Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:43Z BASE
+0h
VFR 180° 6 kt
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
13:00Z BECMG
+7h
VFR
Ceiling: 3,000 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
ELT
18 ✈️
36

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 18/36
Active: 18
12,117 ft 148 ft ASP 184°
2.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SELT

3,039 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
89.8%
MVFR
9.7%
IFR
0.4%
LIFR
0.1%

Cotopaxi International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 89.8% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 58 knots. Temperatures typically range between -3°C and 22°C with an average of 12.3°C. The best months for VFR flying are March, December, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 58 kt
Calm Winds: 0.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
16.6%
NE
3.9%
E
3.6%
SE
7.3%
S
56.5%
SW
4%
W
2.6%
NW
5.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.3°C
Range: -3°C to 22°C
-3°C 22°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.3%

Best Months for VFR

March December September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 1.6 kt

Statistics computed from 3,039 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Cotopaxi International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SELT
IATA Code: LTX
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 9,205 ft MSL

Location

City: Latacunga
Country: EC
Latitude: -0.906833°
Longitude: -78.615799°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 18/36
Length: 12,117 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Cotopaxi International Airport

Overview

Cotopaxi International Airport serves Latacunga, Ecuador, situated at a high elevation of 9,205 feet mean sea level. The airport provides critical aviation infrastructure in a mountainous region, supporting medium-scale airport operations with a substantial 12,117-foot asphalt runway.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Cotopaxi strongly favor visual flight rules, with 90.3% of observations supporting VFR operations. The airport experiences consistent southerly winds averaging 7.3 knots, with occasional strong gusts up to 58 knots. Temperature variations range from -3°C to 22°C, with an average of 12.2°C, creating relatively stable atmospheric conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's high-altitude location at 9,205 feet presents significant performance considerations for aircraft operations. Pilots must account for reduced air density and its impact on aircraft lift and engine performance. The surrounding terrain includes mountainous landscapes typical of Ecuador's central highlands, requiring careful navigation and terrain awareness.

Approach Considerations

Runway 18/36 offers highly favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind alignment and minimal average crosswind of 1.6 knots. December, September, and January represent the best months for VFR flying, providing optimal visibility averaging 10 statute miles. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variability and prepare for high-altitude approach procedures.

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.