With a total population of just over 77,000, inhabitants of the European nation of Andorra could theoretically fit into some of the world’s larger football stadiums. The country’s population is small, but so is its footprint, covering an area of just 468 square kilometers.
Despite attempts at developing an airport, Andorra remains without its facility, with its mountainous terrain as the main hindrance. However, there is a nearby service to a local airport in Spain, and many do not believe that the country even needs its airport. Let’s take a deeper look at this small nation’s air transport conundrum.
Mountains of challenges (and the challenge of mountains)
Landlocked between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, Andorra has the unfortunate title of being the world’s largest country without a functional airport. As we’ve already mentioned many times, this is due to the country’s topography and terrain.
As we covered in March 2021, the country has been working to get an airport of its own. For quite some time, the Chamber of Commerce has been working on a three-axis plan that includes rail connections, internal mobility, and a national airport. Feasibility studies were conducted, but technical reports by the Andorran Aeronautical Authority (AAA) concluded as follows:
“The limitations and safety of the project are in doubt, and are important enough not to continue with the project.”
With such strong negative words from the organization that should be most aggressively supporting its development, it is unsurprising that many have considered the project to be dead. Below is a video of a simulated approach and landing. You can fast-forward to roughly 3:28 to see an Airbus A320’s final approach to the proposed airport runway.
As you can see, Andorra’s absence of airports is not for lack of wanting. Despite its small population, Andorra can see upwards of eight million visitors annually. Most of these visitors come from France and Spain, but foreigners from further afield have been increasing in numbers, a trend which is likely to resume as the travel industry continues to recover.
Unfortunately, when it comes to accessing “the outside world,” getting to and from the country requires a roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from the airports in Barcelona or Toulouse, most certainly demonstrating a barrier to tourists hoping for a short trip. But in recent years, that has changed with the return of air service to a nearby facility.
Andorra’s closest airport
While it’s technically outside of Andorra’s borders, accessing the airport of Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell (LEU) is much more feasible for Andorrans via a relatively short 30-40 minute drive from the capital and main town of Andorra la Vella. The facility operates just a single runway, which offers the following specifications:
Runway direction: | 03/21 |
---|---|
Runway length: | 4,157 feet |
Runway surface: | Asphalt |
This airport briefly served Barcelona in the early 1980s but has remained relatively unused since this air connection was canceled. In more recent times, the airport was purchased by the Catalan regional government. Working with the Andorran government, renovations, and upgrades were made to the facility so that it could once again host commercial flights.
After apparently being the only bidder for a PSO (public service obligation) contract, Air Nostrum was selected to provide a commercial air link between Madrid Barajas (MAD) and Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell. The new twice-weekly route commenced on December 17th, 2021 using Air Nostrum’s ATR 72-600s. Air Nostrum does business as Iberia Regional, and thus Oneworld flights further afield can be booked on a single itinerary, with a single stop in Madrid. They are certainly something Andorrans (and visitors to Andorra) were looking forward to.
Photo: Great Circle Mapper
Nonetheless, the current commercial offerings in the area are not just limited to this singular flight, with Iberia Regional (and Iberia as the parent company) seeing a bit more potential in the facility than might have initially been assumed. The carrier has launched seasonal services from the airport to Palma de Mallorca International Airport (PMI), a facility located in the wildly popular vacation destination of the Balearic Islands.
The carrier, which began to operate this seasonal service between January 5th and March 30th this year, flies this new route using regional aircraft. Targeted primarily at leisure travelers, Spanish news outlet Ultima Hora reported back in 2023 that the new route would operate on Fridays and Sundays.
Photo: Dylan Agbagni | Flickr
Is this the best option for Andorra?
While the Andorran government and its inhabitants would likely prefer an airport within its own borders, it looks like a pair of commercial services nearby will be the best the nation will get for now. But this discussion generates a more interesting question, as the idea of whether Andorra needs a new airport is a different beast altogether.
The country does have a heliport, but no regular commercial activity appears to take place there. An international commercial heliport would be welcomed and is likely the best solution for this small country and its terrain. Perhaps the rise of eVTOL vehicles and ‘air taxis’ will lead to a realistic and affordable solution for Andorra.
There are many countries worldwide of similar size to Andorra that lack airports, many of which are microstates across Europe. As such a small nation, there are strong arguments to be made that money invested in the nation’s airport would be better spent elsewhere, whether that be improving road infrastructure or establishing more efficient rail connections.
Nonetheless, Andorra does have a significant use for an airport, as it is a city that is increasingly trying to become a hub for select sectors of the financial services industry. With regular air travel, the nation could see an economic boon from the easier access that would be offered to corporate travelers.
Source: Simple Flying