Sidi Ifni Airport

The closure was a direct consequence of a major political change: the end of Spanish rule. Its primary functions were to serve as a military airbase for the Spanish Air Force and to provide a commercial air link to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. After the handover to Morocco, the airport lost its strategic military importance and its commercial routes were discontinued. Moroccan authorities deemed it economically non-viable and strategically redundant, given the proximity of other established airports, such as Guelmim Airport (GMZ) and the larger Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA).

The airport is completely abandoned and in a state of dereliction. Satellite imagery shows the single runway is still clearly visible but is unmaintained, cracked, and partially covered by encroaching sand dunes and vegetation. The former terminal building, control tower, and hangars are still standing but are decaying and have been vandalized. The land has been partially repurposed; a large, modern base for the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie has been constructed on the northern edge of the former airport grounds. The runway itself is not used for any purpose and is inaccessible.

Sidi Ifni Airport was a historically significant airfield during the Spanish colonial period. It was constructed as a key military installation for the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire) in the former territory of Spanish West Africa. The airport played a crucial role during the Ifni War (1957-1958), serving as a vital base for transport aircraft (like the Junkers Ju 52 and Douglas DC-3) that supplied the besieged Spanish forces, as well as for reconnaissance and combat aircraft. In addition to its military role, it handled civilian passenger flights, primarily operated by Iberia, connecting the isolated enclave with Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and other destinations in Spain, making it the territory's main link to the outside world.

There are currently no official government plans or credible prospects for reopening Sidi Ifni Airport. While local tourism advocates have occasionally expressed a desire for its revival to support the region's unique appeal, the significant costs required to completely rebuild the runway, terminal, and modern air navigation facilities are prohibitive. The existence of the operational Guelmim Airport approximately 60 km to the southeast, which serves the region, makes the economic case for reopening Sidi Ifni extremely weak. The site is expected to remain derelict or be redeveloped for non-aviation purposes in the future.