Melilla Airport (IATA: MLN, ICAO: GEML) is an airport located in Melilla, an exclave 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
IATA: MLN ICAO: GEML
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner/Operator	Aena
Serves	Melilla
Location	Melilla, Spain
Elevation AMSL	48 m / 156 ft
Coordinates	35°16′47″N 02°57′23″W
Website	aena-aeropuertos.es
Map
MLN Location of airport in Spain
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 15/33 1,433 4,701 Asphalt
Statistics (2019)
Passengers 434,660 Passengers change 18-19 24.9% Movements 9,768 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:

• Ramel - now in Morocco
• Arcila - now in Morocco
• Zeluan - now in Morocco

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.

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 to 1981, Aviaco from 1981 to 1992 and Binter Mediterraneo from 1992 to 2001.

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

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.[7]
• 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.

See also

• Sania Ramel Airport

References

External links

• Official site at Aena.es
• Accident history for MLN at Aviation Safety Network
• Current weather for GEML at NOAA/NWS

На других языках

[de] Flughafen Melilla

[es] Aeropuerto de Melilla

[fr] Aéroport de Melilla

[it] Aeroporto di Melilla