Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport: history, progress and the future of the Pyrenean gateway

Reading time: 8 minutes

🏁 Introduction

Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport (IATA: LEU / ICAO: LESU) represents the Principality’s gateway to the skies. Located in Montferrer i Castellbò (Lleida, Catalonia), it connects Andorra with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and offers a strategic alternative to road travel.

At just 18 km from the Andorran border, it is widely known as Andorra’s airport, thanks to its accessibility and role as a key transport hub.

After years of inactivity, its reopening and modernisation have established a project that now combines commercial, private and executive aviation, with a clear forward-looking vision.

🪶 A story of ups and downs

The first attempts to link Andorra by air date back to 1931, with a proposed Barcelona–Andorra route. The current runway was completed in 1980, and the airport was officially inaugurated on 29 July 1982 with an Aviaco flight between Barcelona and La Seu d’Urgell.

In 1984, regular commercial operations ceased, leaving the facilities for private and recreational aviation. The airport reopened on 4 June 2010, following renovation works worth around €2.9 million, to accommodate general aviation and emergency services.

🏅 In 2015, supported by the Government of Catalonia and the Government of Andorra, test flights began, leading to the resumption of regular commercial flights in December 2021.

⚙️ Technical and operational progress

One of the airport’s most significant milestones was the introduction of a 📡 GPS-based approach system (IFR/GPS) in 2020, allowing aircraft to land safely even in low visibility.

In 2023, it added 🔦 runway lighting and night-time signalling, enabling operations after sunset and enhancing its overall capacity. The improvement was complemented by new navigation systems and an expansion plan for nine hangars —three large (1,200 m²) and six medium (600 m²)— to meet the rising demand from business and private aviation.

The main runway, measuring between 1,267 and 1,450 metres, is suitable for ATR 42/72 aircraft and regional or executive jets.

✈️ Current operations and connections

Today, Air Nostrum (Iberia Regional) operates regular commercial flights to:

• Madrid-Barajas (Fridays and Sundays)
• Palma de Mallorca (Tuesdays and Saturdays, depending on season)

In 2023, the airport recorded 4,653 operations and 9,380 passengers, as well as 34 active companies on site employing over 400 people.

Its location —just 18 km from the Andorran border— makes it a strategic asset for the Principality’s economy, tourism and corporate mobility.

🌍 Looking ahead

Expansion plans include extending the aircraft apron and building a new hangar area for executive and air taxi services. Efforts are also underway to broaden commercial routes by 2026 and explore new international links.

Another goal is to obtain Schengen operational status, which would increase connectivity and international routes.

➤ To better understand how travellers enter Andorra, see The Entry/Exit System (EES): European border control and its impact on Andorra.

However, operating larger aircraft over 100 passengers (such as Airbus A320s or Boeing 737s) would require runway extension and technical upgrades.

Conclusion

Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport has evolved into a modern and functional infrastructure supporting both economic growth and tourism. Its technical advances and ongoing projects position it as a key connector between Andorra and Europe.

👉 To learn more about living or relocating to Andorra, read Living and working in Andorra: what to know before you move.

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Last review: November 2025