When Gran Canaria Doubted Where to Build Its Airport: The Gando Story

When you touch down at Gran Canaria Airport today, gliding over the golden plains of Gando, it feels like the most natural place in the world for a runway. The flat coastal stretch in the municipality of Telde seems almost purpose-built for aviation. But nearly a century ago, the decision wasn’t so obvious. The island’s leaders seriously considered putting the aerodrome somewhere else — even right in the heart of the capital city.

The story of how Gando won that debate is a fascinating tale of early aviation dreams, technical pragmatism, and a series of failed attempts that ultimately pointed to the eastern coast. Long before the first terminal was built, Gran Canaria was already a dot on the Atlantic air map. As early as 1927, a regular seaplane service connected Casablanca with the island, proving that the Canaries were destined to be more than just a port of call for ships. But where exactly should the planes land?

The City Airport That Never Was

In the early days, the idea of placing an aerodrome in or near Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was very much alive. Several attempts were made to find a suitable site within the municipality, but one by one, they fell through. The sources speak of “various failed attempts” to establish an aerodrome in different parts of the capital. The terrain simply didn’t cooperate.

The turning point came when a technician named Antonio Artiles was called in to assess the options. He looked at the proposed sites in the city and firmly advised against them. His recommendation was clear: the best place for an aerodrome wasn’t in the urban north, but further south, on the open coastal plains of Telde. The area known as Gando, he argued, offered the space and conditions that the cramped city plots could never provide. It was a decision that would shape the island’s future.

A Military Landing and a Royal Decree

While the politicians and planners debated, history was already being made on the ground at Gando. On 18 January 1924, a military aircraft touched down there for the first time. It was a landmark moment — a proof of concept that the plains could handle real aviation. That single landing planted a seed that would grow into the argument for Gando’s future.

The official seal of approval came in April 1930, when a Royal Order declared that the terrestrial and maritime installations to be built at Gando would constitute a national airport. The debate was effectively over. Gando was the chosen site, and the work of turning a patch of coastal earth into a proper aerodrome could begin. The first stage was modest: a dirt runway measuring 600 by 100 metres, ready to welcome the island’s first commercial flight.

The First Passengers and the Iberia Connection

The airport was officially inaugurated on 27 November 1933, but the real magic happened a few days later. On 2 December 1933, the first commercial passenger flight departed from Gando, operated by Iberia on the Madrid–Las Palmas route. It was a moment of transformation. The island was no longer a remote outpost; it was connected to the Spanish mainland by a scheduled air service.

That first flight was the beginning of something much bigger. By 1935, the route had been formalised as the Madrid–Canarias line, cementing the link between the archipelago and the capital. The early passengers who boarded those flights could hardly have imagined the millions who would follow them in the decades to come. The first navigation aids were installed at the end of 1934, making the airport safer and more reliable, and setting the stage for the next phase of growth.

From Dirt Strip to International Hub

The years after the Spanish Civil War brought a flurry of development. Between 1944 and 1946, the first proper passenger terminal building was constructed, giving travellers a real sense of arrival. Then, in July 1946, a decree opened the airport to all types of national and international traffic and declared it a customs airport. Gando was no longer just a domestic stop; it was a gateway to the world.

The runway, too, began its long evolution. In 1948, work started on paving the first 700 metres. By June 1957, the asphalt strip had been extended to 2,000 metres, capable of handling larger and faster aircraft. The tourism boom was just around the corner, and the airport was ready. A second runway followed in 1980, and a brand-new terminal opened in 1993, transforming the passenger experience once again. In 1986, the official name changed from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to simply Gran Canaria Airport, reflecting its role as the island’s front door.