Aviation on the island of La Gomera began in the 1950s, when the private aerodrome known as El Revolcadero was built. Situated within the municipality of Tecina, it had one runway, designated 09-27, a hangar and a small hut that served as a control tower. On 15 July 1959, the aerodrome opened to traffic for the private use of its owner and as an aerodrome for emergencies and fumigation work.
In 1962, as a result of problems with healthcare attention, studies began on the construction of an airport on the island. However, the project was never carried out. The feasibility studies for the airport began again in 1975, but the opening of Tenerife Sur airport and the introduction of a fast ship line pushed the project into the background once again.
In the 1980s, problems in evacuating the injured highlighted the need for an airport on the island and finally, on 27 July 1987, an agreement was signed between the State Administration and the Canary Islands Regional Government for the construction of an airport on La Gomera. The island’s serious terrain problems and the need to protect the National Park of Garajonay reduced the number of possible locations for the airport.
The preparation of the projects and the contracting of technical assistance for their control and supervision concluded in late 1990. The place chosen for the location of the new airport was a plateau above the cliffs, two kilometres from the aerodrome at El Revolcadero.
At the end of 1994 runway 09-27, the aircraft parking and a small link runway were completed, all with tarmac surfacing. Both departure points have aircraft turning areas.
In April 1995, Aena took charge of the completion of the works. At the end of the year, the contract for the construction of the terminal control area was awarded.
The passenger terminal was opened in June 1999. The terminal building is on two levels and its design combines architecture typical of the Canary Islands with art nouveau touches. The main door of the building is a replica of the door of the Church of the Assumption, located in the capital of the island, where it is said that Christopher Columbus prayed before undertaking his first voyage in the discovery of America.
