During World War II Baltra was established as a United States Army Air Force
base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the eastern Pacific for enemy
submarines and provided protection for the Panama Canal. After the war the
facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues
as an official Ecuadorian military base. The foundations of buildings and other
remains of the US base including the old airfield can still be seen on the
island.
Until 1986, Seymour Airport was the only airport serving the Galápagos. Now
there are two airports which receive flights from the continent,