La Caubella helipad, inaugurated more than a month ago, is still not operational

The National Helipad at La Caubella has still not entered into operation, despite being officially inaugurated more than a month ago, on June 22, in the presence of Andorra’s Head of Government, Xavier Espot.

While the new infrastructure remains inactive, helicopters continue to take off and land at the old Terra Guindaldes helipad, located close to the urban centre of La Massana.

The situation has caused surprise among local residents and has also drawn political criticism. Laia Moliné, a general councillor with the Social Democratic Party (PS) and a resident of La Massana, has confirmed that helicopter operations are still being carried out from the old facility, with the resulting noise nuisance and concerns over the proximity of flights to populated areas.

“If the La Caubella helipad has already been inaugurated, why is it not being used?” Moliné asked.

The relocation of helicopter operations to La Caubella was precisely intended, among other reasons, to move flights away from residential areas and reduce the impact on the population of La Massana.

A dispute between the promoter and the Government

Behind the failure to put the new infrastructure into operation there also appears to be an ongoing dispute between businessman Antoni Rebés, the promoter of the helipad, and Xavier Espot’s Government.

Rebés did not attend the official inauguration ceremony on June 22, despite playing a central role in the development of the project.

According to information that has emerged, one of the main points of disagreement concerns the Government’s refusal to allow the construction of tourist bungalows next to the La Caubella helipad.

The possibility of building the bungalows was reportedly raised during the previous government, when Jordi Gallardo was Minister of the Presidency. The current Government, however, has not continued with the proposal. 

The La Massana Town Council has also stated that it will not authorise the construction of the tourist accommodation in an area considered to have significant environmental value.

The location of the new National Helipad has itself been controversial from the outset. The facility is situated at La Caubella, in an elevated and relatively remote area, far from the country’s main urban centre and with difficult access, particularly during the winter months.

The environmental impact of the construction has also been questioned, with more than 2,000 trees reportedly felled as part of the works.

Disagreement over the final cost

The cost of the infrastructure has also generated controversy.

The Government estimates the overall cost of the project at around €8 million, including both the construction works and the compensation payments established under the concession contract.

According to Xavier Espot, the Government had paid approximately €5.5 million to Antoni Rebés by June 2026, while the remainder corresponds to outstanding financial commitments arising from the concession agreement.

The Social Democratic Party (PS), however, has put forward a significantly higher estimate, arguing that the real cost of the helipad could reach €16 million when all public contributions, compensation to the concession holder and other expenses associated with the concession period are taken into account.

No international flights without border controls

The problems surrounding the new facility do not end there. Andorra is not part of the Schengen Area, meaning that international helicopter flights to France or Spain would require the corresponding border and customs controls.

At present, these controls do not exist at La Caubella, limiting the possibilities for international operations from the facility.

This situation is also reportedly a source of frustration for the promoter, as the inability to operate international flights significantly reduces the helipad’s commercial potential.

In this context, the construction of tourist bungalows was reportedly seen as a way of complementing the helicopter operation and making the overall project more economically viable.

Meanwhile, more than a month after its official inauguration, helicopters continue to operate from Terra Guindaldes, meaning that residents of La Massana remain exposed to the noise and disruption caused by helicopter traffic.