South of Madrid, Don Quixote Airport (Ciudad Real, CQM) is a billion‑euro ghost airport reborn as an aircraft storage/MRO hub. Here’s how to see it.
The story in a nutshell
South of Madrid on La Mancha’s windmill plain stands an outsized dream: Ciudad Real International Airport—branded over the years as Don Quijote Airport and South Madrid Airport. Built for about €1.1 billion, it opened in 2009 as Spain’s first private international airport, then shut in 2012 after airlines pulled out. In 2019 it reopened—not for regular passengers, but as a long‑term aircraft storage and maintenance (MRO) hub. Today there are no scheduled passenger flights, yet the 4.1‑km runway still turns heads (it even hosted Volvo’s Jean‑Claude Van Damme “Epic Split”).
Fast facts • Codes: IATA CQM, ICAO LERL
• Runway: 10/28, 4,100 m (A380‑capable)
• Status: Open for GA, cargo, storage & MRO; no scheduled pax flights
• Operator: CRIA (Ciudad Real International Airport, S.L.)
• Distance: ~200 km south of Madrid (≈2 hours by car)
Why it failed—and why it’s back
Location and timing did the damage. Madrid Barajas had just expanded, and Ciudad Real sits two hours away by road. The business case collapsed; the airport entered receivership and closed. Under CRIA, the field now earns its keep as an MRO/storage platform (with occasional cargo and GA traffic), a role that peaked during the pandemic when dozens of airliners were mothballed on its stands.
How to see it (practical guide)
Getting there
• By car: Take A‑4 or A‑42 toward Toledo, then A‑41 to exit 178 for the airport. Allow ~2 hours from Madrid; from Ciudad Real city it’s ~30 minutes.
• Coach: Long‑distance ALSA services on the Toledo–Ciudad Real–Granada route sometimes stop at the airport (point‑to‑point restrictions apply). Check timetables in advance.
On‑site access
This is an operational private airport. The passenger terminal is generally closed to casual visitors and airside access is not permitted. You can view the facilities from public perimeter roads; for any formal visit (groups, media), request permission from CRIA in advance.
Spotting & photography
Perimeter roads near the 10/28 thresholds offer distant views across the apron and runway. Heat haze is real by late morning—early or late light is best. A long lens helps.
Make it a Quixote day out
Pair the airport with classic La Mancha sights:
- Consuegra & Campo de Criptana windmills (the archetypal “giants”)
- Almagro’s perfect Plaza Mayor and corral de comedias
- Calatrava la Nueva castle above the volcanic Campo de Calatrava
- Lagunas de Ruidera for an emerald‑blue nature break
These stops sit on Spain’s official Don Quixote Route, which threads windmills, castles and Manchego‑cheese country into an easy road trip.
Need‑to‑know
- Safety & respect: Do not block gates or park on shoulders; follow police/security instructions.
- Drones: Assume no‑fly unless you hold relevant Spanish permits.
- When to go: Clear winter/spring days give the sharpest views; summer heat haze can be brutal.
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