The president of the Autonomous City Melilla, Juan José Imbroda, called on 21 September for an expansion of Melilla Airport. He is calling for a runway extension and the introduction of more modern approach and navigation systems to reduce the high number of weather-related cancellations and secure regular connections with mainland Spain.
Imbroda cites recurring cancellations in low cloud and poor visibility as the reason for his proposal. He did not specify any technical options, but stressed that without structural and procedural improvements, the reliability of connections to Málaga and Madrid would suffer. In the short term, he sees optimised approach procedures and additional meteorological aids as possible steps; in the medium term, an expansion of the infrastructure.
The national Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible points to ongoing work on procedures and equipment. The basis is the Boletín Oficial del Estado published in the Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria 2027–2031, which sets out assessment and investment frameworks for sites affected by frequent weather-related disruption. Details of the scope and timetable for Melilla have not yet been announced.
The air navigation service provider ENAIRE has, according to the city administration, highlighted technical and spatial constraints that could make some solutions difficult. These include the airport’s topography and proximity to the city, which limit the scope for expansion and navigation aids. No final assessment has yet been made of which combination of procedures and infrastructure would have the greatest impact.
The debate stems from ongoing restrictions at Melilla Airport, which repeatedly lead to diversions or cancellations. Reliable air links are important to the city not only economically, but also for medical transport and administrative travel. There is therefore considerable local pressure to improve operational reliability in the short term while also laying the groundwork for a robust expansion.
Politically, the initiative reflects the way local interests intersect with national responsibilities: while Melilla is pressing for certainty in planning, approval, technical design and funding involve coordination between the Ministry of Transport, air traffic control and airport planning. Whether the runway extension can be carried out as a major project depends on feasibility and the requirements of the 2027–2031 regulatory period.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).