Baltra Island was used as an air and naval base by the US military during the Second World War, as it was strategically positioned to defend the Panama channel. The base was later adapted and used as an airport for all the flights coming to the Galapagos Islands.
In 2012, the airport was completely renewed and became the first “green” airport in the world: it was constructed with recycled materials from oil drilling facilities in the Amazon and is powered with wind and solar power.
There is also an Ecuadorian air force base and refueling station on the island for the many ships that cruise around the Archipelago.