There are alot of changes happening at Gibraltar Airport and here is an update.
Border restrictions are very relaxed now and queues barely exist. 2 'nothing to declare' lanes and one 'to declare' lane are now in operation entering Gib and 1 'nothing to declare' and 1 'to declare' lane are operational existing Gib crossing over to Spain.
Remember to keep in the right hand lane existing otherwise you will have to move quickly to the right after passport control. The system is in its infancy but over recent weeks I haven't encountered any or very little delay. As I live in Sotogrande its cheaper to buy cigarettes over the border but was always such a pain before this happened.
A new airline 'FlyGibraltar' is due to be announced shortly covering the UK and Ireland and also flights are now coming in from mainland Spain.
Hope the above clarifies the situation now.
Gibraltar Airport Flights:
British Airways and Monarch both offer flights to Gibraltar from the UK. Apart from that there is the occassional charter flight to and from Morrocco.
British Airways offer flights to Gibraltar from both Heathrow and Gatwicck Airports. They offer daily flights from Heathrow and up to 2 flights on some days of the week from Gatwick.
Monarch Scheduled offer flights to Gibraltar from both Manchester and Luton. The Manchester flights are available on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Monarchs flights from Luton to Gatwick are on offer daily throughout the year.
Gibraltar Airport Arrivals:
As there is only a small number of Gibraltar Airport arrivals each day it is best to simply call the airport to check whether any flight arrivals are on time or not. If you are meeting friends or family at the airport and then travelling into Spain my advice is to meet them on the Spanish side of the border, it's far easier and saves all complications.
Gibraltar Airport Departures:
When you are leaving simply head for the small Gibraltar Airport departures hall. There's not much there! There are about 6 check in desks, an information desk, Monarch and British Airways ticket offices, toilets and a shop & cafe. After you have checked in head upstairs where there is a cafe with a roof terrace giving great views of "The Rock".
Left Luggage Store at Gibraltar Airport:
Yes there is a left luggage store at Gibraltar Airport. Prices vary depending on length of time and size of holdal or suitcase.
Gibraltar Airport Car Hire:
Below are details of the car hire companies at the airport. If you are travelling into Spain it is best to check their policy on taking cars accross the border. There are two large car hire companies based at Gibraltar Airport, Niza Car Hire at Gibraltar Airport and Budget Car Hire at Gibraltar Airport. Avis Car Hire at Gibraltar Airport also have an office in Gibraltar, just up the road from the airport.
You can also get an excellent low cost, Spanish car hire quote here. Niza car hire are a Spanish based car hire company with a number of offices along the Costa del Sol.
Gibraltar Airport Taxis:
Taxis at Gibraltar Airport are always waiting for the flights and you will find them just outside the terminal building. If you are travelling into Spain simply cross the border on foot and pick up a Spanish Taxi.
Gibraltar Airport Buses:
Gibraltar Airport buses can be found opposite the terminal building and these are the main buses that go around Gibraltar. The airport is just under 2kms from main street and the fare is currently 80p.
Other Gibraltar Airport Information:
Gibraltar Airport is not technically in Spain I know but alot of people visiting the western edge of the Costa del Sol or the Costa de La Luz use Gibraltar Airport. There have also been some long and deep discussions between the Spanish and UK Governments about Gibraltar with the Spanish keen to have some kind of use of the airport.
The only nusiance about flying into Gibraltar is that you then have to walk or drive over the border into Spain and then continue your journey from there. Driving can take forever, it depends on what mood the Spanish customs guys are in! walking shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
In fact the walk from the aircraft to the Spanish side of the border is probably shorter than the walk from the plane at Malaga Airport to luggage hall!
