🇪🇸 Albacete Airport / Los Llanos Air Base

Albacete Airport / Los Llanos Air Base (LEAB (ABC)) is a joint civil and military aviation facility located approximately 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Albacete, Spain. It serves as a vital hub for the Spanish Air and Space Force and plays a significant role in NATO's advanced tactical training.

Type of Facility and Operations: The facility operates as both a public airport, managed by Aena, and Los Llanos Air Base, managed by the Spanish Air and Space Force.

• Military Operations: It is home to the 14th Wing (Ala 14) of the Spanish Air and Space Force, which operates Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The base also houses the Maestranza Aérea de Albacete (MAESAL), a major maintenance and repair center for various military aircraft, including Eurofighters, firefighting planes, and transport aircraft. Since 2009, it has been the permanent site for NATO's Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP), providing advanced combat training for international aircrews.
• Civilian Operations: While it began civilian operations on July 1, 2003, it currently lacks scheduled passenger services and primarily handles general aviation and occasional charter flights.

Notable Features and History: The origins of the site date back to 1913. It was initially established as a civilian airfield in 1929. During the Spanish Civil War, the airfield was a strategic asset, serving as the headquarters for Republican Military Aviation. The 14th Wing was founded at the base in 1974, initially operating Mirage F1 fighters before transitioning to Eurofighter Typhoons in 2013. The relocation of the NATO TLP to Albacete in 2009 from Florennes Air Base in Belgium was partly due to more favorable weather conditions. The airport has a single asphalt runway, designated 09/27, measuring 2,700 by 60 meters (8,858 ft × 197 ft).

Current Status: Albacete Airport / Los Llanos Air Base remains an active and critical military air base for the Spanish Air and Space Force and continues to host the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme. Its civilian side operates with limited services, primarily accommodating general and charter aviation rather than regular commercial passenger flights.