Albacete-Los Llanos

General

Albacete Airport is situated east of Madrid, at an altitude of seven hundred metres above sea level. It is located in the area known as Los Llanos, within the Albacete city limits. Los Llanos airport's origins date back to 1913, however, due to budget restraints the airport was not finished. In 1929 the Spanish Aviation Company (CEA) took charge of pilot training and was settled at Albacete. During the civil war, the aerodrome was used by the military rebels and, from 26 July 1936, by the Republicans. Once the war was over, the Air Force set up the 13th Bomber Squadron in Los Llanos with former Republican aircraft. This unit later became Ala 26. The government acquired the aerodrome and it opened to civil traffic in July 1946. Work was carried out, including pavement and subsequent extension of runway 28-10, 2,250 by 65 metres. Due to the scarcity of civil traffic and the fact the air base was increasingly used for military purposes, it was closed to civil traffic in 1955. Ten years later it was reopened for the Albacete Flying Club. In 1962, this unit was replaced by Ala 37, equipped with the DC-3 cargo aircraft. Again, this unit was replaced by Ala14 in 1975, turning the base into a fighter town.

In 1991, a non aeronautical event changed the airport's activity. The Albacete Balompié football team moved up to the first division and charters were used to transfer the football teams. In 1992, a travel agency began to arrange Albacete – Palma de Mallorca charter flights with great success. In November 2005, the Ministry of Public Works inaugurated the new Terminal Building, with a surface area of over 2,200 square metres. The parking apron, with an area of some 20,000 square metres, has capacity for two B737s and four light aircraft. At this moment, the airport is used by Spanish Air Force Eurofighters, NATO's Tactical Leadership Program and limited civil traffic. Also, La Maestranza Aérea de Albacete is responsible for the modifications and overhaul aircraft such as the Canadair CL-215 and C-101, and Airbus Helicopters can be found on the south west side

Spotting is not very common in Spain and the Military Police/Guardia Civil could ask for your passport or remove you from your spot. Please keep a distance of 300 meters from the fence of the airport at all times, as show at our spots. Cooperate with the authorities. Please keep this distance and let the authorities get used to spotters.