Melilla Airport

Melilla Airport (IATA: MLN, ICAO: GEML) is an airport located in Melilla, an enclave of Spain in Africa. The airport is located about 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of the city, near the border with Morocco. Between 1931 and 1967 Melilla was served by the Tauima Aerodrome (now the Nador International Airport), even when Morocco had gained its independence in 1956. This Spanish controlled airport did not open until 1969.

Melilla Airport

Aeropuerto de Melilla
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorAena
ServesMelilla
LocationMelilla, Spain
Elevation AMSL48 m / 156 ft
Coordinates35°16′47″N 02°57′23″W
Websiteaena-aeropuertos.es
Map
MLN
Location of airport in Spain
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
15/33 1,433 4,701 Asphalt
Statistics (2019)
Passengers434,660
Passengers change 18-19 24.9%
Movements9,768
Cargo (tonnes)134.5
Source: Spanish AIP at EUROCONTROL[1] and Melilla Airport Statistics, Aena[2]


History

In the 1920s, several military aerodromes were built in area for the Air Arm of the Spanish Army:

Following the conflict between Spain and Morocco, a new military airfield was built near Cabrerizas Altas. This airport had a simple 300 m (984 ft) landing area. As tension settled and Spain was able to re-establish land around Melilla, this airport was relocated again further south of city.[3]

The new airport, Tauima Aerodrome, was opened for civilian flights 1931 and used also by the military.[4] The El Atalayón hydroplane air station (now site of oyster farm) in the Mar Chica was operational in the 1930s to provide additional air travel options using Dornier Do J seaplanes. In 1956 the end of the Spanish protectorate over northern Morocco placed the airport outside of control from Spain, although some investment from Spain was done in the aerodrome until 1958. Limited access to the airport was given to Melilla by secured bus until 1967. The Tauima aerodrome later became Nador International Airport.

In 1969, the current airport was opened within Melilla's borders and was strictly a civilian facility.

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Air Europa Málaga
Hélity Ceuta
Iberia Regional Almería, Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Málaga, Seville
Seasonal: Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca

The airlines serving the airport are regional carriers connecting to Spain to the north.[5] The airport is also a general aviation airfield and handles private small aircraft. There are no flights directed to airports in Morocco. In the past Melilla was also served by Spantax from 1969–1981, Aviaco from 1981–1992 and Binter Mediterraneo from 1992–2001.

Ground Transportation

Passengers can get to and from the airport by car or taxi. ML-204 is the main road accessing the airport and connects to the city. ML-300 provides access to areas outside of the city.

Incidents and accidents
  • On 25 September 1998, PauknAir Flight 4101, a BAe 146, crashed into a hill on approach to Melilla killing all 38 occupants.[6]
  • On 17 January 2003, an Air Nostrum Fokker 50, operating for Iberia, overran the runway and broke apart. Nine people were injured but there were no fatalities.
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See also

References
  1. EAD Basic
  3. http://www.airports-worldwide.com/spain/melilla_spain.htm
  4. Melilla Airport. History
  5. http://www.aena.es/es/aeropuerto-melilla/destinos.html
  6. ASN Aircraft accident description British Aerospace BAe-146-100 EC-GEO - Boumahfouda
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