I think that people are missing a key element of the press release and why now they can agree to close San Javier as t has always been common knowledge in the area that the military want this airport back for sole use
The government have agreed to turn over the airport to AENA, the national operator rather than it being operated by a private company which means that they will retain the revenues and keep their staff
This will have a dramatic effect on the number of staff that they now have to recruit as staff will be allowed to move and is a major benefit to the area