Mataveri International Airport (IPC/SCIP) is the gateway to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), an island famous for its Moai statues built by natives who arrived on wooden canoes and now viewed by tourists who arrive on metal birds. Apart from being the entry point to this mystical island, Mataveri holds the distinction of being the most remote airport in the world, with the nearest airport being 2600 km (1600 miles) away in Mangareva. This remoteness gives rise to a unique operating restriction, which stipulates that once an aircraft is more than halfway through its flight to Mataveri, no other aircraft can pass its halfway point until the first aircraft has safely landed due to the lack of diversion options.

Mataveri commenced operations in 1967 with Douglas DC-6 aircraft, followed by the Boeing 707 in the 70s. In 1987, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) extended the runway to its current 3300 m (10800 feet) length, and the airport was designated as an emergency landing location for Space Shuttle flights from Vandenburg. The long runway allowed widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 767, Airbus A340, and today, the Boeing 787, to service the island, a boon for tourism and aviation enthusiasts alike.

Today, the sole scheduled carrier into Mataveri is LATAM, flying daily Boeing 787 flights from Santiago. Occasional private jets and charter movements can also be seen. With a singular runway, movements are hard to miss. The small size of the island also means the airport itself can be an attraction for avgeeks alongside the majestic Moai scattered around the island.

Written by Yang Qize. Last Update: Spring 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	3300m/10800 ft
Terminals
T1	One terminal for all scheduled flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed, and it is not exactly practical to bring one to the island anyway. You can stand on the roof of your car or bring a 1- or 2-step stepstool to shoot over the fence at some locations.
Car/Public Transport	Recommended as there is no public transportation. A car is the most flexible way for seeing all the sights around the island, so I recommend renting one for maximum flexibility if you wish to planespot too.
Drinks/Food	Plenty of restaurants nearby, alongside a gas station and a supermarket.
Hotels	Plenty of hotels around the main street that runs north of the airport (Hotu Matu’a).
Season	Weather is better during the southern summer (December to March). Otherwise, scheduled flights are more or less constant throughout the year (1-2 flights daily).
Security	Easter Island is safe, and I had no problems while spotting here. Standard planespotting etiquette and precautions apply though.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway usage appears to be wind-dependent, although occasionally an aircraft may depart in a tailwind if the wind is light.

	Spot #1 – Airport Car Park/Airside – Ramp and Runway 10/28 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located at the sole terminal at Mataveri Airport. If you are landside, you can use the car park, while if you are airside (after security check with valid boarding pass), there is an open air viewing area inside the terminal. You can also get photographs of the ramp while embarking/disembarking. From the carpark, it may be possible to shoot through the mesh, but with the bigger aircraft, it is difficult to fit the aircraft without getting the fence in your shots, and it is better to use the roof of your car or a step stool + live view. The airside viewing area is free of obstruction. Sample shots here were taken on the airside ramp/viewing area, but shots from the car park should look similar to THIS.
WHAT	Ramp movements (airside), Runway 10 arrivals/lineups and Runway 28 departures (car park).
TIME	Sunrise till late afternoon in the southern summer, all day in the southern winter.
MISC.	Supermarket next door with food and drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	15-250mm

IPC-Spot1

IPC-Spot1

IPC-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Atamu Tekena – Runway 10 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located along the fence at Atamu Tekena alongside a quiet street. It is recommended to stand up on the roof of your car here to get above the fence and tall grass. Alternatively, there is a dirt mound which can be utilized.
WHAT	Perfect for Runway 10 arrivals, and should be good for Runway 28 departures (untested). Runway 10 lineups are theoretically possible, but tall grass may obscure the landing gear.
TIME	Sunrise till late afternoon in the southern summer, all day in the southern winter.
MISC.	Nothing nearby directly.
FOCAL LENGTH	40-250mm 40mm (side ons) to 250mm (close ups)

IPC-Spot2

IPC-Spot2

IPC-Spot2

IPC-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Rano Kau Access Road – All Runway Movements
WHERE	This is not a singular spot, rather, it is a stretch of road leading up to Rano Kau, another attraction on Easter Island. It is recommended to drive up here as it would otherwise be a long walk. You are on an elevated hill here, so no ladder is necessary. You can choose to stand on the higher stretch of road, although there may be more obstruction from trees or power lines there. The photos taken here were on the lower stretch of road closer to the runway.
WHAT	All Runway 10/28 movements.
TIME	Late afternoon till sunset in the southern summer. The sun does not come around in the southern winter, then this spot is only usable then on a cloudy/rainy day.
MISC.	Nothing directly nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm Photos were taken with 80mm from the lower stretch of road.

IPC-Spot3

IPC-Spot3