Spain's Melilla Airport is located in an exclave on the African continent. Up until now, the types of aircraft that were permitted were severely restricted, as they were only certified in class 2C. This has now changed as Aesa has given the go-ahead for 3C.

Previously, Melilla Airport had code 2C in its aerodrome certificate, which was based on the classification of its facilities according to RD 862/2009 in 2013 and EU Regulation 139/2014 in 2017. This allowed the operation of aircraft with the same or lower code letter and number, with the exception of three military aircraft designated in internal procedure to operate aircraft with a higher code letter (A400M, C130 and C160).

The change in category means an expansion of the types of aircraft that can operate on the infrastructure, as it has a certified runway of 1.200 to 1.800 metres. This category includes models such as the CRJ 200, the Airbus 318, the Airbus 319, the BAe 146 or the Embraer 170. In addition to larger aircraft, many business and general aviation models can also be used in the new category, which allow for a greater variety of traffic.

Among the measures to be implemented, it is worth highlighting the additional horizontal signaling on runway 15-33 and the change of the flat strip of the runway from 80 to 150 meters wide, leveling and measures on the shafts of the strip, as well as earth movements with change of leveling and of the gradient in the runway strip.