Melilla Military Airfield (Aeropuerto de Melilla)

Melilla Airfield is located three kilometers from the city center of Melilla, Spain. Spanish military aviation established permanent airfields in the region in October 1913 at Sania Ramel, Arcila, and Zeluán. Following the loss of Zeluán to Moroccan forces in 1921, operations moved to Cabrerizas Altas and later to Tauima. These facilities supported the Alhucemas landing in September 1925. The current site was selected in 1967, and the facility opened on July 31, 1969, replacing the Tauima airfield.

Aena operates the airfield as part of the Spanish public airport network. The Spanish Air Force utilizes the facility for the transport of personnel assigned to overseas missions. The airfield also hosts units of the National Police and the Civil Guard. Regular commercial operations are conducted by Iberia Regional/Air Nostrum, which utilizes ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Infrastructure includes a passenger terminal with six check-in counters and three boarding gates. The apron contains six commercial parking positions, one dedicated military parking position, and one helicopter station. A control tower was inaugurated in 2002. Navigation and landing aids include VOR-DME and NDB systems, with PAPI lights installed for runway 33. The facility transitioned from category 2C to 3C on February 23, 2023. This reclassification allows for the operation of jet aircraft, including the CRJ-200, Embraer 170/195-E2, and the Airbus A320 family, although these types are subject to payload and range restrictions.

Recent developments include the extension of operational hours to a 07:15–22:15 schedule in April 2024. Under the DORA III plan, Aena scheduled terminal and apron expansions for the 2027–2031 period, including an 18-million-euro terminal remodeling project starting in 2026. In June 2025, the Ministry of Transport initiated a study for the implementation of a Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach system to improve operations during low visibility. Additionally, a technical commission was approved in April 2025 to evaluate the viability of a runway extension. In late 2024, the airfield began providing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the supplier Moeve.