Bogotá rescues memory: the historic sign at El Dorado Airport shines again.

The Colombian Civil Aeronautics and OPAIN presented Bogotá with the historic El Dorado sign, which for 53 years marked the main entrance to the airport and which today, in the framework of its 65th anniversary, pays tribute to the city's collective memory.

The iconic sign was installed on October 28, 1959, beneath the airport's control tower, where it remained for decades as a welcoming symbol to millions of travelers . Its name, inspired by the legend of the City of Gold and the Muisca rituals at Laguna Guatavita, marked the beginning of a new era with the inauguration of the airport, replacing the former Techo Aerodrome.

In 2012, during modernization works, the piece was removed and restored this year thanks to a joint effort between OPAIN and the Civil Aeronautics. Starting today, August 26th, it will be permanently displayed in Terminal 2 (formerly the Air Bridge), becoming a new point of reference for travelers.

With more than six decades of operation, El Dorado has established itself as a strategic hub for Latin America, leading the region in passenger and cargo transportation and connecting the country to 102 destinations: 45 domestic and 57 international.

For Natalí Leal, General Manager of OPAIN, “The old El Dorado sign represents a milestone in the history of Colombia's infrastructure and is an emotional bridge that connects generations of travelers with Bogotá's past. By restoring it and presenting it to the city, we celebrate 65 years of memory, progress, and transformation. This symbol reminds us of where we come from, inspires us to value what we've built, and drives us to continue projecting El Dorado and the country toward a more connected, sustainable, and competitive future.”

Brigadier General (R. A) José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, Director of Civil Aeronautics, highlighted the importance of this act of remembrance: “Being able to arrive at Terminal 2 of El Dorado, or as it is known: Puente Aéreo, and remember what those letters meant, is to understand that the airport is not only of Bogotá, but of Colombia, which is the opportunity to think about how valuable the identification of our great infrastructures is . Today we honor that memory by consolidating El Dorado as one of the most important airports on the continent. Today, from Aerocivil, where every day we work for excellence with humanity, it fills us with pride to say that we are part of history and we want locals and visitors to know the greatness of our country."

The restoration seeks to strengthen the sense of belonging and highlight the heritage value of urban icons. The piece will be available to the public at Terminal 2 .

In the framework of Bogotá's 487th anniversary, El Dorado reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to be a world-class terminal that promotes air mobility, sustainable development, and the country's connection to the world.

According to the most recent IATA bulletin, during the first half of the year, contrasts were evident for the airline sector in Colombia, compared to the same

period of 2024. A total of 27.1 million passengers were transported, showing a significant increase, but at the domestic level a decrease of -3.8 percent was recorded.

With more than 45.8 million passengers, El Dorado Airport was the busiest airport in Latin America in 2024, surpassing even Mexico City Airport. This year, the number is expected to continue to grow, as is the airport's capacity.

Likewise, from June to November 2025, the capital accounted for 54.3 percent of international air reservations.

ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - TRAVEL EDITORIAL - @ANGS0614