Lleida-Alguaire Airport Celebrates Ten Years and Shifts Towards Industrial Uses

On January 17, 2010, Lleida-Alguaire Airport was inaugurated, becoming the first airport constructed and managed by the Generalitat. Over these ten years, initial plans for a commercial and cargo transport-based model have proven unsuccessful. This reality prompted the government to reorient the airport, implementing a new strategy aimed at positioning Lleida-Alguaire as an airport catering to various business sectors, primarily focusing on industrial uses within the aerospace sector. Currently, approximately 25 companies are either based at or utilize the airport, directly employing around 100 people and indirectly supporting 250 more.

The airport boasts a distinctive terminal and the widest runway in Spain, measuring 61 meters wide and 2,500 meters long. Despite early expectations outlined in the initial government master plan, which aimed for 395,000 annual passengers and 3,500 tons of cargo by the end of its first decade, reality fell short. In 2019, the airport handled 58,614 passengers, up from 45,532 in 2018, while cargo operations never materialized. However, flight operations exceeded expectations, primarily due to flight schools and pilot training activities.

Isidre Gavín, current Secretary of Infrastructure and Mobility, acknowledges that initial goals focused on commercial activity and cargo transport were based on studies that were not rigorous enough in forecasting demand and activity generation. Despite this, Gavín views the airport’s first decade positively, citing successful recent efforts to redirect its strategy towards productive industrial uses.

The airport has attracted interest from 25 companies across various sectors, directly employing 100 individuals and indirectly supporting 250 more. Facilities such as Aeronpark and Servitec offer long-term aircraft parking, maintenance, and recycling services, attracting planes from airlines like Norwegian, Icelandair, and more recently, a Boeing 747 from Wamos Air. Moreover, Lleida-Alguaire hosts aircraft prototypes, drones, and has become a favored filming location for commercials and music videos.

Looking ahead, plans include constructing two new hangars and expanding the platform to accommodate more aircraft. Gavín emphasizes the importance of the airport contributing to regional development beyond financial balance, although efforts to achieve self-sustainability continue. The airport remains open to expanding its current commercial flight offerings while pivoting away from heavily subsidized flights towards economically viable smaller capacity aircraft that meet demand.

Additionally, efforts to establish Lleida-Alguaire as a charter flight hub for skiers in the Pyrenees have been pursued, although challenges such as fog have diverted flights to other nearby airports. Plans to develop cargo operations remain a priority, with ongoing discussions with companies like Flightline, specializing in automotive parts transport, showing promise for future implementation.