The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) plans to authorize an increase in the maximum permitted height for buildings in a specific sector of Zone 11 in Guatemala City, as part of the technical assessments it is conducting to update construction restrictions in areas near La Aurora International Airport (AILA).

The measure is part of the process initiated in 2025 to replace the agreement issued in 2020, which raised the construction limits around the airport but was subsequently repealed by the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure, and Housing (CIV) after it determined that the agreement lacked technical justification and had not followed the procedures required by national and international aviation regulations.

Following that repeal, the obstacle limitation surfaces established in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards were reinstated. Consequently, the DGAC and the construction sector established a technical working group to conduct new studies and define technically sound height limits.

As explained by Captain Tomás Aldecoa, director general of the DGAC, the new provision would allow buildings up to 1,605 meters above mean sea level in an area between Majadas, the Anillo Periférico, and the Aguilar Batres highway, provided that the projects comply with the technical requirements established by the aviation authority.

The official indicated that the process is still in its final evaluation stage, because the exact coordinates where the new limit will apply have yet to be defined. “Perhaps in two weeks we’ll have a clearer picture, with the coordinates and areas defined,” he said.

Although the new height would represent an increase over the current limit, Aldecoa clarified that the measure will not cover all of Zone 11. “There is an area—not all of Zone 11—where, in discussions with them, we had agreed on 1,605,” he explained.

In all other sectors, current restrictions will continue to apply, depending on the project’s location relative to the airport’s approach paths.

For example, he noted that in areas near Atanasio Tzul Road and Petapa Avenue, the limit of 1,551 meters above mean sea level will continue to apply. “If a construction request comes in, we have to tell them, ‘You can’t build above 1,551,’” he said.

Regarding other areas under evaluation, Aldecoa indicated that Zone 14 will maintain the limit of 1,582 meters above mean sea level, a parameter that has already been established. He explained that evaluations are currently focused primarily on defining the conditions for the specific area within Zone 11, where the construction sector requested a review of the maximum permitted height.

Technical Work

In January of this year, officials from the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure, and Housing (CIV) indicated that the new regulation could be finalized in 2026, once the topographic and operational safety studies were completed. At that time, they also noted that the goal was to issue regulations that would provide legal certainty to the construction sector without compromising the operation of La Aurora International Airport (AILA).

Aldecoa explained that the studies began in February 2025 through a technical committee composed of representatives from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction, with the goal of updating the obstacle limitation surfaces around the airport.

As part of the process, a survey was conducted of all existing obstacles in the vicinity of the runway. This information is used to prepare the approach and departure charts used by aircraft during their operations.

 “What we had to do was conduct a survey of the obstacles surrounding the runway, because those surveys are used to create the charts that allow aircraft to land or take off,” he explained.

He added that the assessments are conducted in accordance with Annex 14 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which establishes obstacle limitation surfaces for aerodromes. “We began working together to define that maximum permissible height,” he said.

Operational Safety

Aldecoa explained that the restrictions are based on operational safety criteria, since buildings are among the obstacles that must be taken into account during aircraft approach and takeoff maneuvers. "Operational safety means ensuring that no harm comes to people, vehicles, or structures. The modern approach is to implement risk management, identify hazards, and, in this case, the buildings are obstacles that must be assessed," he explained.

He added that the DGAC must ensure that approach paths remain free of interference in order to comply with international aviation standards. “A path is established so that airplanes can land safely above the buildings,” he said.

Aldecoa noted that one of the unique features of La Aurora International Airport is that it handles various types of air operations, which requires more complex assessments.

He explained that, in addition to commercial aviation, the terminal handles general aviation aircraft, helicopters, flight schools, and military aircraft. “We have a large general aviation sector as well as commercial aviation. We're trying to figure out how we can bring together airline operations, general aviation, military aviation, and flight schools under one roof,” he said.

He added that the DGAC is also in contact with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to analyze how construction projects might affect airline operations. “Commercial aviation operates under instrument flight rules. We have to ensure the safety of those charts to maintain standards and keep aviation moving forward,” he said.

Upcoming Resolution

According to Aldecoa, following an internal technical meeting scheduled to evaluate the information provided by the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction (CGC), the DGAC plans to issue an administrative resolution formalizing the new height limit for Zone 11.

“We will likely issue an administrative resolution within a week setting the maximum height in those areas at 1,605 meters. We estimate that after July 8—in about two more weeks—we will be able to issue the resolution,” he said.

Meanwhile, applications for new projects continue to be evaluated in accordance with the current parameters for each sector. “Depending on the zone where the height limit has already been established, the corresponding technical analysis is conducted,” he said.

José Ardón, executive director of the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction (CGC), indicated that technical meetings with the DGAC are continuing and that they are still awaiting the official definition of the height limits that will apply in the areas near La Aurora International Airport (AILA).

 “We are still in discussions with management to define and establish technical limits, which has been the main objective of the working group we have set up jointly with the DGAC,” he said.

Call for Certainty for New Projects

Ardón noted that one of the sector’s main objectives is to have clear and stable rules that allow for the planning of new real estate developments.

He explained that a construction project can require several years of preparation, from the acquisition of the land to obtaining permits, which is why regulatory changes have a direct impact on investments.

 “Development or construction takes a long time. It involves years of financial planning, acquiring land, conducting studies, and beginning the administrative process—which can even take one or two years just to obtain a building permit,” he explained.

He added that changing height regulations without a predefined process could affect projects that are already in the planning stages. “The fact that we lack legal certainty and that regulations can change from one day to the next puts at risk a great many projects that took many years to develop,” he said.