Santander Airport, officially Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport, is an international airport located near Santander, Spain and is the only airport in Cantabria. The airport has a single runway with a length of 2,320 meters. As it is the only airport in the region, private jet activity increases especially during the summer months.
The airport is named after the famous golf player Seve Ballesteros, who was born in Pedreña, a few kilometers from the airport, and was one of the best-known figures in Cantabria in the last century. The airport was known as ‘Santander Airport’ until 2015. In May 2014, a popular initiative submitted to the Cantabrian Parliament unanimously approved the renaming of Ballesteros. The Spanish government approved the change on April 16, 2015.
After the implementation of the renovations specified in the airport master plan, today there are 8 check-in desks, 3 luggage carousels in the arrivals hall and 7 boarding gates. As an international airport, it can also serve flights from countries outside the Schengen area.
Spain private jet charter prices
Although Seve Ballesteros Santander Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Santander are as follows.
| Light Jet | 19.750 EUR |
| Midsize Jet | 24.900 EUR |
| Heavy Jet | 31.900 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Santander Airport history
The current airport, built on reclaimed ground from the Bay of Santander, opened to traffic in 1977. A smaller airport was built between 1947 and 1952 by prisoners of the Spanish Civil War. In 1953, it opened on the site of the old Santander airport in La Albericia, where commercial flights had been operated since 1949 and was renamed Aeropuerto de Santander, popularly known as “Parayas”. It received its international rating in 1957.
After a three-year closure (from April 1974 to August 8, 1977), the airport underwent a major renovation that significantly expanded its facilities and cost at the time more than 1,100 million pesetas; it reopened with a new 2,400 m runway and technology to allow both visual and instrument flight.
In recent years, starting in 2007, new renovations have been carried out, such as the remodeling and expansion of the terminal and the installation of two gates or railings for direct access to aircraft, the extension of the platform for parking more aircraft or the construction of taxiways and a platform for general aviation.
Until 2003, the facilities were considered underutilized due to the limited number of flights and high fees, resulting in potential passengers shifting to Bilbao airport, 100 km away. Since then, following an agreement signed between the Cantabrian Government and the budget airline Ryanair, the airport has experienced an increase in the number of destinations (national and international), passengers and airlines operating. In 2005, the airport reached 644,662 passengers, a growth of 88% compared to the previous year and a balance of users between domestic and international flights. This increase was the largest of all airports in Spain that year.
In December 2010, 37.8 million euros were invested in upgrading the facilities, preparing the airport to handle over two million passengers a year. The works included the remodeling of the 10,200 square meter terminal building, the expansion of new departure and arrival areas, the construction of a taxiway capable of handling 22 movements per hour and the extension of the aircraft parking platform.
Attractions in Santander
Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region in the northern part of Spain, is one of the cities with the most beautiful coastline in Spain.
Among the places to visit in the city; Magadlena Palace on the Magdalena Peninsula, the Cantabrian Maritime Museum, which houses archaeological pieces, nautical charts, boats, photographs and much more, Santander Cathedral, one of the oldest religious buildings in the city, Cabo Mayor Lighthouse, which is frequented by photographers and started its service in 1839, The Botín Center, considered the most modern architectural structure in Santander, El Sardinero Beach, the most popular beach in the city, the Grand Casino with its neoclassical architecture and the Peñacabarga Natural Park, which attracts attention with its natural beauty and hiking areas.
Santander airport transportation guide
By car, access is via the S-10 highway at exit 3 and then the N-636 road to the airport facilities. There are also regular bus services from Santander’s main bus station in the city center. ALSA’s line buses also stop at the airport before making reservations on routes connecting Santander with other cities in northern Spain, such as Bilbao, Gijón, Oviedo or Laredo. There are also offices for different private car rental companies within the port.
