Canary Islands

With a recently opened airport in the borough of Alajeró, La Gomera has completed its network of communications that also consists of two ferry companies that link the Island with the rest of the archipelago. The airport on La Gomera was inaugurated in 1999, but it was not designed for international flights.

The airport was financed with subsidies on a scale of millions by the EU, but is hardly important for the inter-insular traffic. The few persons one meets at the airport mostly go there to take a coffee at the bar in the airport, not to fly.As yet, two flights between Tenerife-North and two flights between Las Palmas and Gomera are being offered daily.

Although La Gomera Airport handles very little traffic, in recent years the number of passengers has steadily grown: in 1999 it handled 10,286 passengers; in 2000, 15,503 passengers; in 2001, 23,404 passengers; in 2002, 24,612 passengers; in 2003, 28,588 passengers; and in 2004, 30,754 passengers.

The airport is therefore becoming a key resource for tourism development on the island and for residents. Currently there are connections with Tenerife Norte and Gran Canaria. This enables it to receive 215,000 passengers per year, whilst its peak-time capacity is 300 passengers.

Its runway measures 1,500 by 30 metres, and it also has an access/exit road and an apron with three parking bays. The apron measures 14,500 square metres, can accommodate three type ATR-72 aeroplanes and comprises the same capacity for general aviation. To receive passengers, it has a terminal building of just over three thousand square metres of useful surface.

The terminal building is on two levels and its design combines architecture typical of the Canary Islands with art nouveau touches. The construction materials used include the red stone typical of the island on the facade and Arabic tiling for the roof, with white marble and wood for the interior.

The building has large glass areas to enhance the penetration of natural light. The main entrance to the building is a replica of the door to the church of La Asunción, in the capital of the island, where Christopher Columbus prayed before embarking on his first voyage to discover America.