Ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the roar of jets at Son Sant Joan Air Base? Right here in Palma de Mallorca this air base shares its runways with the bustling international airport. But its history stretches far beyond the current terminal buildings.
Son Sant Joan Air Base isn’t just a military installation. It’s a historical landmark a testament to Mallorca’s aviation development. In the early 20th century the Spanish government envisioned airmail routes to the Balearic Islands. Son Sant Joan and Son Bonet initially were considered for airfields. Test flights took place in these flat fields before the construction of proper aerodromes.
In 1934 a flight school opened at Son Sant Joan. This marked the beginning of the air base’s role in both civilian and military aviation. Initially it was mainly used for training while Son Bonet became the main civilian airport. However Son Sant Joan’s strategic location and expanding importance for the military meant civilian operations were limited there.
The story of Son Sant Joan Air Base is intertwined with Palma’s own development. In the 1950s the runway at Son Sant Joan was significantly enlarged and paved. This was done to accommodate the F-86 Sabre fighters. The construction necessitated diverting the Palma-Llucmajor road. This shows the base’s growing significance for national defense. Improved taxiways and aprons were built at the same time.
The increased air traffic in the 1950s and the limitations of Son Bonet led to a decision. A new civilian airport would be built near Son Sant Joan. In 1960 Son Sant Joan officially opened for both domestic and international flights. The base and the civilian airport were now effectively merged.
The subsequent decades witnessed phenomenal growth. A new terminal opened in 1965 another in 1972. A second runway came in 1974. By 1997 a completely new central terminal had been constructed. Son Sant Joan Air Base was now an integral part of Palma de Mallorca’s identity its infrastructure closely linked to the international airport.
Today Son Sant Joan Air Base operates within the framework of Palma de Mallorca Airport. It continues to serve a vital role in Spanish air defense. But it stands as a reminder of Palma’s aviation history. A silent witness to decades of technological advancement and tourism growth. From humble beginnings as a flat field the air base has played a defining part in Mallorca’s story. Its legacy is written in the sky above. The roar of planes is a symphony of the past present and future.