The airport is located in San Bartolomé, Las Palmas, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southwest of the island's capital, Arrecife.

The Spanish Air Force then saw a need for a permanent aerodrome for defence purposes, and this was constructed in Arrecife.

Improvements were carried out to the existing facilities, with a runway extension and additional ramp space provided.

[4] A new passenger terminal was constructed along with a control centre, and on 3 March 1970 international and domestic flights began using the airport.

A centrepiece of the Guacimeta terminal was the mural created by César Manrique entitled Lanzarote.