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Gibraltar Airport
If Gibraltar is noted for its uniqueness, much of the credit goes to its
airport. It’s the only one in the world which has a road crossing the
runway — amazing, indeed. Add to the unusual fact that Gibraltar’s airport
is just a few walks away from the town’s central part, and that the
Winston Churchill Avenue, the road separating The Rock from Spain is
operational, closed only when an aircraft is landing or departing, it also
holds many remarkable bits of history.
Since Gibraltarians’ firm decision to resist any attempts from Spain to
recapture the United Kingdom colony, Gibraltar has been the subject of
many limitations as imposed by the Spanish government on the borders. As
it has been popularly known, while Gibraltar’s southern tip is linked with
the Iberian Peninsula, it’s north side is closely connected to Spain and
which, can be traveled by land. It was previously under Spanish governance
until they surrendered power in 1713 and never managed to reclaim it ever
since regardless of desperate attempts through bloody battles, the biggest
of which was The Great Siege that happened between years 1779 and 1783. If
Spain did not succeed in gaining power over Gibraltar, they have
strategically imposed limitations that somewhat hinder the nation’s growth
in its entirety.
Aside from their bitterness over failed attempts of regaining power over
Gibraltar, Spain has some kind of a particular battle against the airport
location, said to be different from the general one against the whole
nation, but is obviously related. So for the most part, they had been
harsh in controlling the borders and communication links, thus blocking
business opportunities to go further. Gibraltarians suffered from long
delays and thorough inspection before reaching the other side of the
border while tourists experience inconvenience in a trip to see The Rock’s
rich culture. The ties were completely cut when the Spanish government
decided to close the border completely in 1967 after another foiled
attempt at regaining sovereignty over Gibraltar. It was reopened in 1985,
but the sovereignty dispute never stops there. As a result, transport
links to Spain has been in constant negotiations with the Brits’ goal of
executing cheaper air fares enjoyed by the whole European Community.
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An agreement in 1987 was partially executed for the joint use of UK
and Spain of the said airport. It presented a possibility of building
one another terminal at the Spain side until it was blocked with Joe
Bossano’s governance and did not push through. Just this year, the
Gibraltar, the British and Spanish governments renewed talks on the
arrangements regarding the airport organization. There have also been
positive announcements by the Iberian government about holding flights
coming from Madrid using an Airbus A319 plane.
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This is technically the first Spanish airline ever landing on the
Gibraltar airport. Along side all these developments, there’s the
scheduled operation of another airline aptly termed Fly Gibraltar, which
is expected to open up connections between Gibraltar and Ireland through
Irish cities Cork and Dublin.
Construction History
When the UK decided to make Gibraltar into as a naval base (which
consequently held the same recognition with another naval base) in the
region protecting the Mediterranean area, the need for an airport is
raised. As the second World War unfolds, Gibraltar faces yet another
battle of challenging their men to build an airport terminal for the Fleet
Air Arm of the Royal Navy. A couple more expansion happened since the
Gibraltar airport initially opened for landing in 1939, through the smart
use of blasted rocks from the military defense tunnels in excavation, ably
accommodating larger aircrafts.
As of the moment, the Royal Air Force Station control tower is still
standing though no military plane is currently stationed on the said
airport. Aside from assisting in regular visits of military aircrafts, the
station is now functioning as the civilian airport of Gibraltar.
The Rock’s Civilian Airport
Gibraltar Airport, owned and operated by Ministry of Defence, is
classified under Category 3 British Regional Airport, which regulates the
inter-regional operations of transferring passengers, cargo, and mail. It
holds regular flights to and from London and Manchester. While it used to
service the people of Morocco, the insufficient demands brought in the
cancellation of which because the Gibraltar government can no longer
sustain it. There are still existing transport services to Morocco, but
they were mainly through chartered flights. However, with the recent
developments on the agreement made between Spain, Gibraltar and the United
Kingdom, service expansion is expected. As mentioned earlier, there’s the
confirmed operation of Iberia, which opens up a connecting flight to
Madrid.
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Fly Gibraltar, the much awaited flag carrier airline, is opening up
opportunities anew with scheduled flights not only in London and
Manchester, but also in Birmingham, Bristol, Cork, and Dublin. With those
additions, there are now a total of five airline companies, which are in
full operation, such as British Airways, the GB Airways, the Iberia, the
Fly Gibraltar, and the Monarch Airlines.
These recent adjustments made by the Spanish government regarding the
institutionalization of the airport creates better growth potential for
the Gibraltarians through tourism. |
In the most recent report covering 2004, it is recorded that the Gibraltar
Airport transported some 380 tonnes (cargo) and 314,375 customers/passengers. This is expected to rise
in the coming years based on the expansions made in recent months.
Passenger Facilities
The Gibraltar Airport, which is approximately a ten-minute walk away from
the city, impose more conveniences that you cannot usually expect from an
airport as small as this. Starting from the insides, there’s the updated
flight information highlighted in display screens put up throughout the
passenger’s terminal. They also have ten check-in desks, two gates, and a
baggage claim belt for departing and arriving customers. Helpful
facilities for specific needs like the Disabled Access and the Baby/Parent
Room are also available to suit the requirements of the passengers. At
least 60 parking spaces, a Taxi service/rank and a Tourist help desk are
just some of the notable services that tourists may find useful.
Eating joints are also found aplenty. A wide selection of hot or cold
drinks and convenience food stalls are available in cafeterias and snack
bars that are easily located at the Upper Level Lounge and at the
Departures Lounge. These are provided so travelers who need a quick bite
can have the opportunity to do so. Although the airport terminal is near
the city, it is still wise to enjoy the refreshments offered in these
cafes for a more exciting feel of the Gibraltar lifestyle. For Club Class
passengers at The Peninsula, free refreshments and newspapers are given as
compliments. Meanwhile, for fine diners, there are also restaurants and
bars that offer outstanding dining experience.
The best part, of course, are the numerous stores offering a variety of
items that can meet every customer’s requirement. The Duty Free Shop
reigns supreme among this category with a wide array of goods that are
worthy enough to bring along to Gibraltar or other neighboring countries.
Whether you are scouting for a souvenir item or just shopping in general,
Duty Free, with shops that are available in both ends, remains the prime
choice for shoppers. However, if you want variety, then you can drop by
any of the gift shops or the Chemist shop situated around the terminal.
Mail and Cargo Facilities
Transporting important packages to their actual destinations is a
significant function that any airport for that matter, serves for. Based
on the stats, the Gibraltar Airport has moved around regions an average of
425 tonnes of cargo between 1998 and 2004 highlighted by a high record of
cargo handled in 1999 at 510 tonnes. This service, to function properly,
needs amenities that should maintain the present condition of the cargo
until it reached its destination, while securing its safety from items
that can be used by hijackers and/or terrorists alike. Such case pointed
out, the Gibraltar Airport employs an X-Ray Equipment to scan through
unlikely foreign objects not stipulated in the job order. It also carries
a bonded warehouse, a security vault for valuables, a space for dangerous
goods and an express courier center. All these contributes to the capacity
of The Rock’s airport facility to accommodate service options and handle
shipping of goods efficiently.
A Window of Opportunities
Since the Spanish government reopened the frontiers leading
to Gibraltar, a variety of commercial and business
development opportunities take shape. This has been the long
battle cry that was fought hard by the Gibraltarians and the
British government against the Spanish. Since the border’s closure,
commercial advancements linking Gibraltar to other European countries
aside from the United Kingdom are shut off. The economic activity all over
this UK territory is dominated by the British people. Much of the business
operated in Gibraltar used to be focused on the military until 1984 when
the naval base is not much of use.
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The
dockyard of the naval army used to generate most of the
income of the Gibraltarians, but it has since decreased,
recorded accountable for only 7% of Gibraltar’s total
earnings.
The Gibraltar Airport is the key to the more satisfying
business ventures of Gibraltarians, accounting Tourism as
its bigger earner over the last few years. Gibraltar, which
is also termed as International Finance Centre, has numerous
banks in operation and financial assistance available widely
fast transforming the British colony into a tax haven. But
the financial servicing business is being threatened to come
in second as the Tourism industry is starting to boom. |
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With a wide array of tourist spots and attractions, not to mention the
incomparable traces of rich history, Gibraltar is fast becoming a favorite
hideaway for travelers of all kinds. There are the tunnels and caves,
carved by hardworking genius men of wars that house some of the world’s
supply of ancient artillery. The Great Siege Tunnels, a series of tunnels
excavated to serve as a vantage point for the British army during The
Great Siege and some other battles like the World War II that Gibraltar
pay witness to, is one particular point of travel. Then there are the
numerous Batteries that have been locations of sorts for the more
important pieces of Gibraltar history. The Napier of Magdala Battery,
which is the home of one of the only two surviving 100-tonne guns in the
world shall never fail to impress. The Moorish Castle, a community of
buildings, gate, and walls rich with over 2000 years worth of history, is
also one great travel point.
For people who are pay more attention on nature rather than history, the
rich vegetation and abundant supply of wild species are certified
must-see. The wild apes of Gibraltar, which are too friendly to be wild,
attract tourists and locals alike with their almost-human characteristics.
They are found scattered all over the place from the Upper Rock Reserve
down to the town city, there is always a possibility that you get have a
glimpse of one. Gibraltar is also home to some 600+ species of plants, a
small part of which cannot be found elsewhere in Europe and some 270
species of wild birds exploring the atmosphere. Those and more are made
widely available, almost untouched over the years, keeping their
authenticity as true Gibraltarians, becoming another treat for tourists.
Tips for Traveling Tourists
Gibraltar is best visited between October and May when the hot sun
provides such warmth that will keep tourists energized all throughout the
day. These summer months incorporated with scanty rainfalls provide
foreigners a better opportunity to enjoy The Rock’s sights. It is also
during this period that the Levanter Cloud appears. It is the actual
forming of clouds in the face of The Rock when a warm breeze coupled with
moist strikes. This is the closest non-mountaineers can get to see cloud
forms right before the naked eye without being on top.
Of course, there are certain things to remember especially when a tourist
is coming from the East Coast. There’s the startling truth that, although
Gibraltar Airport has opened the windows to the world, it is still not
possible to reach it if not through the United Kingdom. No direct flights
from the United States or even Asia and Canada are available yet. But if
that is the only obstacle an adventurer needs to overcome to see the great
sights that Gibraltar offers, then it’s not really a big deal!
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