The strategic Atlantic gateway that once served as an emergency landing site for NASA
In short: Beyond its role as a bustling tourist hub, Gran Canaria Airport has served as a critical node for international diplomacy, military defense, and even space exploration. From royal decrees to NASA shuttle backups, the history of this 553-hectare facility reveals a much deeper strategic importance than mere holiday transit.
Opened on 7 April 1930 following a royal order from King Alfonso XIII, the airport transitioned from a military installation on the Bay of Gando to a civilian airfield. This shift was driven by early 20th-century ambitions, such as Frenchman Pierre George Latécoère’s 1919 plan to link Toulouse with Casablanca via several Spanish stops. Today, the airport is a primary hub for travel to West Africa—including Senegal, Mauritania, and Cape Verde—and the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores.
The facility's strategic value extends into the realm of aerospace. Before the NASA Space Shuttle programme concluded in July 2011, Gran Canaria Airport served as an official alternative emergency landing site for the shuttles. This high-stakes utility is mirrored by the nearby Gando Air Base, a significant Spanish Air and Space Force installation. The base houses the Ala 46 wing, which operates a diverse fleet including F/A-18 Hornets and CASA 212 aircraft to defend Spanish airspace.
However, the airport's history is not without tension. In March 1977, the terminal concourse was the site of a bombing by the MPAIAC, which injured eight people. Despite these challenges, the airport has grown into a massive operation, ranking 1st in the Canary Islands for passengers, cargo, and operations. While it handles over 10 million passengers annually, it faces modern logistical hurdles, such as the estimated €1,500 million funding gap for the proposed Tren de Gran Canaria rail link.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Gran Canaria Airport
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