Toncontin Intl. - Is This How It Ends? [4K] / Planes Spotting

Well here we are feeling down by the closure of commercial flights at Toncontin Intl Airport. December 15, 2021 will be remember as a downcast day, having to say goodbye to pure essence of Toncontin all because of a corrupt politics. It was emotional to say the least, many tears came out from multiple people as they saw/heard the last takeoffs of those airlines. All those years of people gathering to see those planes are long gone and will be remember by many at Tegucigalpa, at Honduras and around the world. Toncontin's legacy will last FOREVER in the heart and mind of those who had the privilege of enjoying it. But like they say "Every good thing has to come to an end" but be grateful because you got the chance of living the experience whether you were a passenger, pilot, airport staff, atc or a casual viewer. The legacy will also last thanks to the multiple aviation geeks around Honduras that has dedicated time and passion filming these amazing years of operations. Don't fell sad because its gone, smile because you had the chance, a chance that future generations won't have. Long live the world's "second" most challenging airport, the one and only Toncontin International Airport MHTG.

[@geraldinalagos]

Qué bonito el gesto del capitán de AA, Scott Stache. Despidiéndose de la gente y de nuestro viejo Toncontin, girando con las alas de su nave .

[@zidanehadeed9229]

I was too young to experience Kai Tak, happy that I was around for the one and only Toncontín.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Glad you got the chance!

[@TrainerAQ]

Glad you got the chance.

[@nonstops_aviation]

Never got the chance 😢 I will probs only see Lukla

[@TrainerAQ]

Lukla is the last one. Once that airport is gone. There's no more dangerous airports adrenaline junkies can go experience anymore. Airports will be as boring and delayed as Newark Airport in New Jersey

[@angelhumbertososabarenos9881]

Saludos desde Ciudad Guatemala. Que humildad la del Capitan de AA al despedirse de los ay presentes.fuera del aeropuerto.bendiciones

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

El Capitan Scott tiene bastante historia en Toncontín y asi como dice estimado, él siempre fue humilde y mucho mas. A él lo tendremos siempre en nuestro corazón. Saludos hasta Guatemala.

[@wootle]

Fantastic video! Thank you very much for sharing this. Shout out from the UK! Was nice to compare the climb rates of the UAL 737-600 (?) and the American Airlines A320! What a cool Captain from the AA flight to open the window & wave at the people like that! He even did a wing-wag on departure. Also cool to see people at the fence waving at the passengers. I had no idea this "Latin America's Kai Tak" was closing to commercial flights. So sad! One of few airports that demanded good stick and rudder flying skills in todays world of automatic flight control systems.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Thanks mate! I appreciate the support. It is amazing the reach these videos have toward the UK! As you said, it is sad the clousure of such a challenging but majestic airport, or as you called it "Latin America's Kai Tak". These was one of the few airports out there that required hand fying and the proper use the pilot's skills gathered through the years. Seeing the a320s, 737s, or even the 757s land at this airport was just a unique experience as a spectator, passanger or as a pilot. Many called it dangerous but that is because they were ignorant about the aviation industry and even the aviation authorities at this country may not have the proper knowledge about aviation. This clousure wasn't completely justify. At least videos like this keep the memories of Toncontin alive for the next generations to come.

[@Prince.15306]

That Pilot is kind I like that he’s waving saying goodbye 12:10

[@lukethompson5558]

Why didn’t they all do that? The CO and AV pilots were disrespectful IMHO 😂

[@yp3421]

Hermoso el capitan Scott de AA. Dios lo bendiga. Y da mucha nostalgia dejar a Toncontin.🥺 pero este cambio a Palmerola, sera mucho mejor !!! 👍🙏

[@AJ-th1kx]

this guy deserves 1m subs

[@aviationin4k258]

That’s very sad, glad you could see the last flights out of there.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

It really was sad mate, but as you sad, Im glad a had the chance not only to see the last flights but to see those flights through the years.

[@abraham_lemus]

😭😭😭 Queremos toncontin de nuevo

[@babyvmp]

Hay como se despide!!❤ 😭 muy emotivo!

[@mariaargenal6715]

Esta foto de el capitán es expetacular para el recuerdo gran legado.. en su carrera , el sigue trabajando si desde otro , paisaje un Auropuerto quizás con menos retos .. al final es un trabajo de gran valor . Desde el Momento se suspende tremenda máquina o se aterriza.. un avión pasajeros,,equipaje y todo lo que conlleva

[@michaelpedone1082]

I filmed a landing onboard AA961 at Palmerola. It really is something to be proud of.

[@cancelanime1507]

American Airlines flying the 757 into here was peak Toncontin..

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Indeed my friend. The 757 was a legend here. Best time ever from the 2000's in MHTG.

[@Katracho-ot3uk]

Had the privilege to fly to Toncontin International Airport back in 2011, back when TACA was still in operation before the Avianca merger, it sucks not being able to fly to Tegucigalpa directly anymore I’ll always have the memories.

[@kaoasp]

Fully understand your feeling. I share the same feeling with you about the closure of Kai Tak. The Government of HK closed Kai Tak simply because it was persuaded by the businessman and woman about commercial development of the Kowloon City Area. Same here, I am also feel downcasted by the closure. I thank God by giving HK people an airport in the city area. Kai Tak will be remembered by HK people in the rest of HK people ‘s life and the life of those aircraft enthusiasts.

[@vitamindeez]

Great video! Wish I could have visited Toncontin before it closed

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Thanks! The airport is till open but only for domestic flights, is not the same experience without the intl airlines operating b737's, a320's.

[@kaoasp]

Thi s reminds me the closure of Kai Tak some twenty or thirty ago! Very memorable but sad at the same time!

[@patagard8253]

Much respect to Captain Stache and to the peoples of the Toncontin Int'l facility....

[@brasco96wired67]

I liked the goodbye wave @13:06.

[@jhonhplanespotter..6824]

Amazing plane Spotting compilation really Enjoyed all other subscribe

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Thanks mate, I appreciate it!

[@CRMC31]

The airport is still alive with domestic flights so not the end.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Yeah, that is why the title is a question, a question that some are asking. But for sure it is the end of an era.

[@nicc7271]

que lindo ver cuando los pilotos hacen su show

[@nobodyspecial7185]

I have flown into that airport so many times. It’s a bittersweet move because the new airport is in my family’s hometown, but I have a long history withToncotin airport. I first flew in there on a Blackhawk in 1992 over the years been back-and-forth countless times can’t remember if the last time was it 57 or a 37

[@CarlosQuesadaR]

Voy ya para mi silulador de vuelo

[@khkartc]

My son flew into this airport in 2007 and flew back out in 2009; in between, the airport was closed for six months after a Brazilian airliner overshot the end of the runway on landing. I don’t know what scared me more-the confusion and possible civil unrest attending the forcible removal in 2009 of Mel Zelaya as Honduran president, or the thought of my son’s plane’s takeoff from Toncontin a couple of months later.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

The direction Honduras was heading during Manuel Zelaya's govermnet was very scary due to the his polotical ideas. Toncontin was "scary" until I learned the truth about the accident and after studying aviation for my private pilot licence is more than clear to me that Toncontin has no real danger as media states, it's all about the decision making and dedication from the pilots to do things right.

[@khkartc]

What scared me was Barack Obama’s knee-jerk reaction to defend Zelaya, as though he were the embodiment of Honduran democracy, and the implied threat to try to intervene to restore him to power. (As someone I knew said at the time, Obama’s position revealed either his gross inexperience in foreign affairs or a love for all things communist.) I thought the Honduran government handled Zelaya’s removal extremely well, holding fast (despite constant false, wishful media reports that a deal had been struck to restore him) until his original term ended and he no longer had any plausible claim on the presidency. Toncontin probably wasn’t too dangerous for small private aircraft, but I’ll never forget the videos I’ve seen of airliners landing there and only clearing the small ridges by 3-4m on the approach (or touching down more than half-way down the runway and having to brake like mad to avoid going off the far end).

[@06rockdj]

@khkartc Toncontin always scared me, but the adrenaline that i felt landing there was like an addiction to come over and over again 😅 i hope that the new airport (Palmerola) could bring a new era in the Honduran Aviation. Having said that, Zelaya’s wife has become the new President Elect of Honduras, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya won the past elections on November 28/2021, and is taking office next January 27/2022 i hope the best for the country and may God bless Honduras. 🤞

[@khkartc]

@@06rockdj Oh, great! I suppose the wife plans to do the whole _chavista_ Venezuela routine: “Make everyone equal by destroying the wealth of all.” Every country with free elections seems to go down that path eventually-oh, but socialism will work this time!

[@06rockdj]

@@khkartc you nailed it, Zelaya founded a new party called Libre (liberty & refounding) they sympathized with the so called “21st century socialism” from Chavismo. The mission is to refound the country, that’s what they say...

[@mastercero2653]

tamos en 2024 y toncontin sigue ahí que paso

[@antonioflores9846]

Nice captain!!

[@v1rotatev230]

Had a good friend Dennis Lynch that was one of the captains for American that flew the 319 from KMIA to MHTG Didn’t fly much a week but raked in the money.

[@Polygoneer]

Tuve la oportunidad de estar ahi ese dia

[@gustavobarahona5152]

Toncontin❤️

[@PLANEMANIA747]

Nice video 🤩...!

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Thank you!

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Glad you like it!

[@jorgeB767-3ER]

For decades SAHSA, TAN and TACA were the only airlines flying large aircraft to Toncontin (B727, BAC-111, Vickers Viscount, Electra L-188, DC-6), when the landing was really was much more difficult because of the high terrain and obstacles on very short final right next to the approach end to runway 02. Because of this other airlines would not fly to Tegucigalpa. Eventually during the late 90's I believe the runway was extended and the high ground close to the runway leveled-off or flattened. After that the landings were a lot easier for the pilots. The Honduran pilots who flew for SAHSA and TAN airlines during that time were the best and the real experts. Por decadas solo SAHSA, TAN y TACA eran las unicas lineas aereas que volaban aviones grandes a Tontontin (B727, BAC-111, Vickers Viscount, Electra L-188, DC-6) cuando en realidad era mucho mas dificil el atterizaje por el terreno alto en final corto a la pista 02. Por eso otras lineas aereas no volaban a Tegucigalpa. Eventualmente creo que en los 90's la pista fue extendida y el terreno alto cercano a la pista fue 'aplanado'. Despues de esto los atterizajes se hicieron mas facil para los pilotos. Los pilotos de Honduras que volaron con SAHSA y TAN durante esa epoca eran los mejores y verdaderos expertos.

[@anavargas-yj8gs]

Que tristeza ya no voy a poder volver a estar en toncontin mi bella Tegucigalpa espero regresar este año y conocer palmerola

[@travelmateprince2693]

What place is this in

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Toncontin Intl. Airport at Tegucigalpa, Honduras

[@CarlosMartinez-vq4me]

Se notó la tristeza en la voz de la mujer del ATC🥺

[@Ing_Failure]

I knew about Palmerola bien the new internacional airport here in Honduras, but I didn't knew about the internacional clousure... Hope it is the correct change...

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Time will tell

[@davidsalazar528]

💓🥺

[@chriswalker143]

So it’s shut down for good or one of these incidents when they say it’s shut down and flights come back. The new airport is far

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

So all international flights were moved to Palmerola, but there has been only rumors to reopen those flights from Toncontin, but nothing is certain.

[@chriswalker143]

@@PlanesSpotterHN yea it’s always been like that throughout the years. As someone from El Salvador this airport is Fascinating to me.

[@griseldaamador1531]

I am calling American Airlines (12/1/21) to confirm if we need to take the flight from Palmerola and I have been in hold for a while. The person helping me had no idea of the operations move or change. I mentioned to her that the information is in the news and that in Tegucigalpa the personnel say good bye to the pilots...

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

That's fucked up, this whole deal of closing Toncontin was a mess because it was rushed and now people are complaining that Palmerola is a logistic disaster.

[@not2tox-tox854]

NOOOOOOOO, ya lo cerraron? :( A pesar de ll peligroso amaba su approach a la pista 02... era hermoso ver el suelo desde tan cerca a velocidad

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Solo los vuelos nacionales y privados que operan aviones pequeños siguen volando a Toncontin pero no es lo mismo que ver un 737 o a320

[@garyjeffries1041]

did this airport shut

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Only the international commercial flights but there has been a lot of disagreement of whether closing the airport completely or to bring back those flights. The situation is a whole mess at the moment.

[@Jonahs_Trucks_And_More]

So what is the airport now? Just a private airport or something since no commercial flights?

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

It's commercial but for domestic flights and some private flights. No longer for international commercial flights

[@Jonahs_Trucks_And_More]

@@PlanesSpotterHN Ahh, so flights within the country. I see

[@TrainerAQ]

Damn. I missed my chance! Again! How does this keep happening! How do I keep missing opportunities to show off my flying skills. I have no more reason to visit Honduras.

[@rudiechinchilla6746]

Close it down once and for all!

[@WinginWolf]

Not sure how the new airport serves the capital: it is 50 miles away!!!! An hour drive…

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Believe me, that hour drive is a struggle, specially at night.

[@mdshahidan9115]

Welcome to jet Aline

[@luisMedina-co5hl]

Ese paletero que se escucha ahi me saco como 300 pesos por 2 paletitas😭😭😭

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

No le creo; que barbaro 😂. Y uno con calor pajo ese sol.

[@LENIN138]

Adiós toncotin 😭😭

[@kaoasp]

😥

[@TamasKiss-bv9hz]

💙🤍💙💯💯💯❤🤍💚

[@JorgeMoreno-bi1fj]

sorry for carama also lol

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

I always make mistakes on editing 😂. It doesn't matter how many times I review it before uploading.

[@Black-nm5qz]

Ojala le den un avion mas nuevo para palmerola.

[@PlanesSpotterHN]

Ojala, por el momento solo United a cambiado al B757 por la temporada alta al igual que en MHLM

[@moisesmiranda1071]

@@PlanesSpotterHN lol pero el a319 neo es nuevo lol