Firstly, just in case you were not sure about the sovereignty of Gibraltar we should clear that up first. It is currently, and has been for many centuries, a British enclave but it is attached to mainland Spain on the very southern tip. We have included it within our Spanish guide as it has an airport with flights from the UK, which is often used as an alternative to Malaga International Airport.
Gibraltar airport was recently renovated and moved closer to the border when a former Spanish government had held successful tri-lateral talks with the UK and Gibraltar and come to an agreement about sharing parts of the airport. However that is currently no longer the case and although Gibraltar airport is now very close to the border, it remains operational for just UK flights.
Gibraltar Airport Information and Travel Details
In the past Gibraltar airport used to be expensive to fly in and out of as there was only one airline operator that flew to Gibraltar. Nowadays there is more choice thanks to the low cost operators like EasyJet, and although there are still relatively few flights in and out of Gibraltar in comparison to other airports each day, the competition has brought the cost of flights right down.
Currently British Airways, and EasyJet fly out of Gibraltar to either Gatwick, Luton or Manchester. Monarch Airlines used to also operate routes but they went out of business and nobody took up the spare routes.
Historic Agreement for Gibraltar Airport
In the past an agreement was reached for the first flights from Gibraltar to within Spain so you were able to fly from Gibraltar to Madrid with Iberia. However, due to the breakdown of relations between Spain and Gibraltar, and the lack of passengers, it is no longer operational. It is of course hoped that with a future government the route will once again commence operations.
The airport is important as there are lots of businesses like online bookmakers and firms specialising in specific financial law like FINTECH law which see many overseas visitors need access for business purposes.
Recent Gibraltar Airport News
In March 2008 British Airways sold their “franchise” GB Airways to EasyJet. This meant that from March 2008 EasyJet started flights to and from Gibraltar.
Advantages of Gibraltar Airport
The great thing about Gibraltar airport is the fact that is nice and easy to get around. It is a small airport with only one terminal and one runway so there is no need for coach transfers to and from the plane or no long walks to the airport terminal itself.
One downside is if you are staying in Spain and you require a bus or a taxi to take you to another holiday resort in Spain, you will need to cross the border (or frontier) on foot and then pick up your service on the Spanish side. This is the same for returning to Gibraltar airport.
The Spanish taxi can only take you as far as the border and you will have to go through on foot. However, the distance from the Spanish border to airport is only a matter of a few yards so it should not create to much disruption to your journey.
The taxi rank once in Spain is just as you cross the border.
Gibraltar Airport is a good alternative to Malaga Airport, especially if you are staying Estepona and west of Estepona.