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Airport Gran Canaria (Spain) - International

See also: Spanair Flight JK 5022
Gran Canaria Airport
Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria
Base Aérea de Gando

IATA: LPA ICAO: GCLP
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Aena
Location Gran Canaria, Spain
Elevation AMSL 75 ft / 23 m
Coordinates 27°5545N 15°2316W / 27.92917, -15.38778Coordinates: 27°5545N 15°2316W / 27.92917, -15.38778
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03L/21R 10,200 3,100 Paved
03R/21L 10,200 3,100 Paved

Gran Canaria Airport (IATA: LPA, ICAO: GCLP), formerly known as Gando Airport, in Spanish Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria, is an airport located on Gran Canaria Island, Spain. It is the largest airport in the Canary Islands and the only airport in the islands with two runways, allowing it to have up to 53 landings and take-offs per hour.

The Airport is located to the east of Gran Canaria on the Bay of Gando (Bahía de Gando), about 18 km (11 mi) from the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and 25 km (15 mi) from the popular tourist areas in the south. It is an alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle.[1]

It is a hub for Binter Canarias Airlines.

Contents

History

The airport opened on April 7, 1930 after King Alfonso XIII signed a royal order announcing that the military air force installations on the Bay of Gando would become a civilian airfield. In its 77 years of existence, the airport has become the largest gateway into the Canary Islands, as well as the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations. It is the fifth largest airport in Spain.

Air disasters involving Gran Canaria Airport

On August 20, 2008, Spanair Flight JK 5022 heading for Gran Canaria from Madrid Barajas Airport crashed on take off with 166 passengers and 9 crew on its second take-off attempt. This flight was also operating as a Lufthansa codeshare flight. The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-82. The total dead have not been confirmed but approximately 150 passengers and crew have been killed according to Spanish Police.

On March 27, 1977, Pan Am Flight 1736, and KLM Flight 4805, the aircraft involved in the 1977 Tenerife disaster were bound for Gran Canaria International Airport. The airport had been closed after a terrorist bomb had struck the island. The aircraft, which were both Boeing 747s, were asked to divert to Tenerife's Los Rodeos Airport instead where they refueled and waited for the airport on Gran Canaria to re-open.

Upon re-opening of the Gran Canaria Airport, the two aircraft headed for the runway to continue their journeys. Due to heavy fog, and several misunderstood ATC communications, the KLM aircraft commenced takeoff on the runway while the Pan Am jet was still taxiing on it. The aircraft collided resulting in the deaths of 583 people, the deadliest air disaster in aviation history before the 9/11 attacks. All occupants of the KLM aircraft were killed, yet 54 passengers and 7 crew members on the Pan Am flight survived, including its captain.

Airlines and destinations

The airport has two terminals, one for European Union and Mainland Domestic flights (Terminal A), and the other for non-EU and interisland flights (Terminal B-C).

Terminal A

Terminal B/C

Ground transportation

The Airport is accessible by several island roadways leading from all points in the island, as well as special bus service available from most towns within Gran Canaria. Taxi service is considered the most efficient way since the island has its own taxi services, and low fares.

Military Use

There is an airbase of the Spanish Air Force to the east of the runways. Beyond several hangars opposite to the passenger terminal, the airbase contains ten shelters situated on the southern end of the eastern runway. They harbor F/A-18 Hornets of the Ala 46 fighter squadron, which defends the Spanish airspace around the Canary Islands.

References

  1. ^ Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites

External links

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Airports of Spain
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