The first stone has already been laid for the stratospheric airship hangar at Teruel airport

Teruel Airport took another step forward this Tuesday towards consolidating its position as an international benchmark in the aerospace industry with the laying of the first stone of the new hangar and production facility for stratospheric airships, which will become a reality by the end of 2026. This will see the introduction of a fully productive activity for the first time in this infrastructure, in addition to the recycling, dismantling, painting and parking of aircraft, and the testing of engines for PLD Space’s Miura rockets.

During this symbolic ceremony, the President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, stated that this construction is “one of the most important projects in the history of this airport.” In figures, and with an investment of €39.7 million and a completion period of 20 months, it will represent a significant effort on the part of the Consortium, which includes, among others, the Government of Aragon and the Teruel City Council. 

The head of the DGA (General Directorate of General Administration) insisted that Teruel Airport is, today, “one of the major economic and employment drivers in the province of Teruel.” In this regard, Azcón highlighted the more than 700 jobs it currently generates and that successive expansions and the resulting increase in activity “will result in more than 1,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs in a couple of years.”

THE PROJECT 

According to the project, drafted by aeronautical engineer Pablo Senchermés and approved by the Governing Council of the Teruel Airport Consortium in October 2023, the facility will consist of three distinct areas: a cargo reception area, a production area, and a hangar. The building will have a rectangular floor plan measuring 376.20 x 70.80 meters.

Its shape responds to the function it will house, with three formal typologies: a gabled industrial warehouse with a height of 23.10 metres corresponding to the merchandise and production area, a barrel vault 57.10 metres high corresponding to the hangar area and a door box formed by a 6-sided polyhedral structure and 57.10 metres high.

In front of the east facade of the hangar, there will be a launch pad for the airship, measuring 300 x 220 meters. In front of the west facade, a platform will be designed for this type of vehicle to maneuver and reverse into the cargo unloading area. On the south facade of the hangar, there will be several parking spaces for workers, as well as two parking bays for helium tankers.

OTHER PERFORMANCES

On this issue, President Azcón mentioned some of the most important projects that will be undertaken at the airport throughout 2025. In addition to the construction and the hangar for the production of high-altitude airships, 2025 will mark the expansion of the airport terminal building, which will double its office space and include a cafeteria and restaurant area. 

And it will also be the year in which the apron and aircraft parking area will be expanded. Furthermore, Teruel Airport has already begun the process of being able to operate in low-visibility conditions by putting out to tender, at the beginning of the year, the instrument flight procedure, which will allow it to increase the number of operations, which currently stand at around 1,100 per year. 

Azcón recalled that what is today a “global phenomenon” and aspires to continue growing in surface area and activities to position itself as an international benchmark in the aeronautical and aerospace industry is the result of an investment of 160 million euros in the period 2006-2027 that has been made possible thanks to the Teruel Investment Fund (FITE) which is co-financed equally by the Government of Aragon and the Government of Spain.

Jorge Azcón led this symbolic event, accompanied by the Government Delegate in Aragon, Fernando Beltrán; the President of the Teruel Airport Consortium and Regional Minister of Public Works, Octavio López; the Vice President and Mayor of Teruel, Emma Buj; the Regional Minister of Environment and Tourism, Manuel Blasco; and the other members of the Governing Council.