Gadouras Airfield

The primary reason for its closure was a major civil engineering project: the construction of the Gadouras Dam and the creation of its large reservoir. The construction activity, altered landscape, and the resulting large body of water immediately next to the runway made the site unsafe and unsuitable for any continued aviation activity.

The site is abandoned and derelict. The asphalt runway is still clearly visible on satellite imagery but is in a state of significant decay. It is located directly on the southern bank of the Gadouras Reservoir. The area is now part of the infrastructure surrounding the dam and is sometimes used by locals for non-aviation purposes such as driving practice or informal drag racing. There is no remaining aviation infrastructure like hangars or a control tower.

The airfield's history dates back to World War II. It was originally built as a military satellite airfield by the Italians during their occupation of the Dodecanese islands, likely as a dispersal field for the main airbases at Maritsa and Kalathos. After the Italian armistice in 1943, it was taken over and used by German forces. In the post-war decades, it transitioned into an unofficial but important site for the local recreational aviation community on Rhodes, handling general aviation aircraft, ultralights, and aeromodelling activities.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Gadouras Airfield. A reopening is considered highly improbable due to several factors:
1. **Safety Hazards:** The immediate proximity to the large reservoir poses significant risks, including increased bird strike potential and a major water hazard for takeoffs and landings.
2. **Lack of Need:** The island of Rhodes is well-served by Diagoras International Airport (LGRP) for all commercial, charter, and most general aviation traffic.
3. **Prohibitive Cost:** Restoring the decaying runway and establishing the necessary modern infrastructure and safety zones would be financially unfeasible for a non-essential facility.
4. **Land Jurisdiction:** The land is now intrinsically linked to a critical piece of public infrastructure, the Gadouras Dam, which supplies water to a large portion of the island.