La Gomera's Airport: What's The Deal?

La Gomera Airport (IATA: GMZ, ICAO: GCGM) is located near the town of Playa Santiago on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The airport cannot be reached directly by air from mainland Europe, so most travellers fly to Tenerife and then take a ferry to La Gomera. La Gomera Airport has two floors and showcases typical Canarian architecture. The airport's runway was completed in 1994, and the terminal opened in 1999.

La Gomera Airport is located near Playa Santiago

La Gomera Airport was built to avoid disturbing the Garajonay National Park and to escape the cloudier and foggier climate to the North of the island. The airport's runway was completed in 1994, and the terminal was inaugurated in 1999. The terminal building features typical Canarian architecture and has two floors. While the airport does not handle international flights, it offers domestic travellers a range of services and facilities, including shops, restaurants, car hire, and a chatbot service that provides real-time information and guides users through the facilities.

Playa Santiago, the town near which the airport is located, is a quiet holiday destination in the south of La Gomera. It boasts a harbour, a beach, and a golf course. The town is also known for its volcanic landscape, with the Vulkankegel Roque Cano crater overlooking the town and surrounding valley.

The airport has a terminal with two floors, showcasing Canarian architecture

La Gomera Airport is located near the town of Playa Santiago on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The airport is 34 km (21 mi) southwest of the island's capital city, San Sebastián de la Gomera. While the runway was completed in 1994, the terminal did not open until 1999. The airport features a passenger terminal that showcases Canarian architecture and consists of two floors. The terminal was built by Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA), which translates to "Spanish Airports and Air Navigation".

The island of La Gomera is a popular tourist destination, and its airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to and from the island. The airport is designed to blend in with the unique architectural style of the Canary Islands, creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

The top floor of the terminal building serves as the departures area, providing a spacious and well-lit environment for passengers to check-in and proceed through security. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, allowing travellers to take in the beauty of the island even before their departure. The lower floor is dedicated to arrivals, with a warm and inviting atmosphere to greet visitors upon their arrival. This floor features baggage claim areas and ground transportation options, making it convenient for passengers to continue their journey smoothly.

The Canarian architectural style is known for its use of bright and vibrant colours, often reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the islands. The terminal building incorporates these colours throughout its design, creating a cheerful and pleasant space. Traditional design elements, such as arched doorways and decorative tiles, are seamlessly integrated with modern amenities, providing a unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary functionality.

La Gomera Airport serves as a gateway to the island, and its terminal building is a testament to the fusion of cultural aesthetics and modern infrastructure. By embracing Canarian architecture, the airport provides travellers with a unique and memorable experience, setting the tone for their exploration of La Gomera's natural beauty and cultural attractions.

Aviation on the island began in the 1950s with a private airfield

La Gomera Airport (IATA: GMZ, ICAO: GCGM) is located near the town of Playa Santiago on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The airport is 34 km (21 mi) southwest of the island's capital city, San Sebastián de la Gomera. While the island's volcanic terrain makes it challenging to find suitable sites for aviation infrastructure, the history of aviation on the island dates back to the 1950s when a private airfield was constructed.

The runway at La Gomera Airport was completed in 1994, and aircraft parking and a taxiway were also established. The airport's location was strategically chosen to avoid disturbing the Garajonay National Park and to escape the cloudier and foggier climate to the north of the island. The site, known as the "Meseta de los Acantilados" (Plateau Cliffs), is situated 2 kilometres from the old airfield of "El Revolcadero".

The construction of an airport on the island became a necessity in the 1980s due to issues with wounded snake-bite evacuations. An agreement for the airport's construction was signed on July 27, 1987. In 1991, Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA), or Spanish Airports and Air Navigation, assumed control of the airport and constructed a passenger terminal, which opened in 1992. This terminal showcases the distinctive Canarian architecture.

As of August 2019, La Gomera Airport offers two daily return flights to Tenerife North and two daily return flights to Gran Canaria. While La Gomera does have its own airport, it cannot be served directly from mainland Europe. Most travellers fly into Tenerife and then take a ferry or fast ferry to La Gomera. The ferry crossing from Los Cristianos, Tenerife, to San Sebastian, La Gomera, typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.

La Gomera cannot be reached directly by air from mainland Europe

La Gomera Airport (IATA: GMZ, ICAO: GCGM) is located near the town of Playa Santiago on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The airport features a passenger terminal, which was built in the early 1990s and showcases typical Canarian architecture. While the runway was completed in 1994, the terminal did not open until 1999.

Despite having an airport, La Gomera cannot be reached directly by air from mainland Europe. Most travellers fly to Tenerife first and then take a ferry to La Gomera. The Tenerife South Airport (TFS) is a common choice for holidaymakers, from where one can take a taxi, rental car, or public bus to the port of Los Cristianos. The bus journey takes 45 to 60 minutes, while the ferry ride to San Sebastian in La Gomera takes another 45 to 60 minutes.

Alternatively, travellers can opt for the Los Rodeos Airport (TFN) in Tenerife-North and take a connecting flight to La Gomera. The Canarian airline "Binter Canarias" offers regular flights from Tenerife North to La Gomera, although this option tends to be more expensive and time-consuming. From the airport in Playa Santiago, there are two regular buses that run to San Sebastian and Valle Gran Rey, except on public holidays.

It is worth noting that the last ferry to La Gomera usually departs around 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm, so it is advisable to ensure that your plane lands no later than 5:00 pm. Additionally, some travellers may need to spend a night in Tenerife due to unfavourable ferry times or cheaper flight options.

Tenerife North Airport offers connecting flights to La Gomera

La Gomera is an island in the Canary Islands, located southwest of Tenerife. The island does have its own airport, La Gomera Airport (GMZ), which is situated near the town of Playa Santiago. However, it is a small airport and there are limited flights to and from the island. As such, many travellers opt to fly into Tenerife and then connect to La Gomera from there.

Tenerife North Airport (TFN) offers connecting flights to La Gomera. From Tenerife North, you can fly directly to La Gomera Airport (GMZ). The airline Binter Canarias offers 14 nonstop flights and 1,752 connecting flights per week between the two islands. The flight time from Tenerife to La Gomera is just over four hours.

There are a few options for travelling between the two airports. One option is to take a taxi from Tenerife North Airport to the Harbour of Los Cristianos, where ferries depart for La Gomera. The taxi ride costs around 24 euros, and ferry tickets can be purchased at the harbour terminal. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the bus terminal in Santa Cruz and then take a bus to Los Cristianos to catch the ferry. This option is cheaper, but it will take longer.

It is worth noting that La Gomera Airport is located 34 kilometres (21 miles) from the island's capital, San Sebastián de la Gomera. The airport is located in a remote area to avoid disturbing the Garajonay National Park and to avoid the cloudier and foggier climate to the north of the island. As such, it may be more convenient to take a connecting flight from Tenerife North Airport, especially if you are planning to travel to San Sebastián de la Gomera or another destination on the north of the island.

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