GB Airways, a British Airways (BA) franchise operator, has introduced daily return flights between The Rock and Madrid. An announcement on the major development of Gibraltar Airport is due later this week.
The new route has been introduced following the Treaty of Cordoba in September 2006, between the British, Spanish and Gibraltar governments. Under the agreement Gibraltar is treated as if it was part of the EU in many aspects. Iberia introduced daily flights between Madrid and Gibraltar last December.
One of the immediate benefits of the Cordoba agreement has been the establishment of an airport control not unlike that in Basle between the French and Swiss authorities. Passengers from Spain can bypass the road check on the actual border and present themselves at the BA desk at the bus station in the nearby city of La L”nea.
They are then taken directly to a new immigration and security building just inside the airport boundary, and bussed across the tarmac to the main terminal departures area where they join other passengers. Technically they have not entered Gibraltar. The reverse happens to inbound passengers.
In order to facilitate the change, GB Airways has altered its schedule between Gatwick and Gibraltar. The familiar daily 07:30 departure from the South London airport remains, leaving Gibraltar at 12:20 for the 2h 50m Airbus A320 return flight. However, the daily evening departure has been re-scheduled from Gatwick at 14:55, landing at Gibraltar at 18:40 local.
The aircraft then leaves for Madrid one hour later, turns around and flies back. It then night-stops and leaves for Gatwick at 08:30, ideal timing for business people who want to be in central London for lunchtime. On Monday and Thursday there is an additional return flight from London in the early evening.
The new arrangement should have a dramatic effect on business between the southernmost corner of Spain and Madrid. A day trip from Madrid to Gibraltar is possible. The alternative airports are Jerez, about 80 miles away, or Malaga, much the same distance, but a better road.
It is expected that the yet to be announced new terminal, will feature entrances on both sides of the border, negating the need for a bus transfer, while a tunnel under the runway is also planned. Currently the road runs across the landing strip requiring its closure when an aircraft lands or takes off.