Work is under way on Spain’s 1,800 hectare Don Quijote Airport. Construction began in April and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2006.

The Airport is jointly owned by the chamber of commerce of Ciudad Real, Diputaciun provincial (provincial council), Caja Castilla-La Mancha, Caja El Monte, Iberdrola, Isolux Wat, Grupo Mendez Pozo and La Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha.

Don Quijote Airport is located 180km south of Madrid, adjacent to the Madrid-Seville high-speed train line, and will be operational 24 hours a day. The total cost of the airport is expected to be 1,100 million euros.

Said a spokesman for the airport: “The general increase in aeronautic activities has brought the large international airports to the brink of collapse. The saturation of their operative capacity and a shortage of slots has forced certain operators to find alternative airports.

“These are not only cheaper than the main ones, but they also suffer less congestion, which helps

to considerably reduce aircraft stopover times and thereby increases the operative profitability of aeroplanes and flights.”

The runway will measure 4,000 by 60 metres and there will be a 3,000 metre-long taxi strip. It will feature advanced navigational and approach systems, including ILS Cat III, NDB/DME and VOR. These characteristics are designed to enable Don Quijote Airport to receive all aircraft that are currently in use as well as the next generation.

The general aviation platform will include aircraft and maintenance hangars, and the 900 square metre general aviation terminal building will feature vip lounges, offices, a crew lounge, restaurant and heliport.

Another service to be offered by Don Quijote Airport is aircraft maintenance – it will have repair and maintenance hangars, as well as engine-testing installations.