Coming in to land at Gibraltar International Airport is a thrilling and memorable experience, offering you spectacular views of the British Overseas Territory and its iconic Rock. The plane touches down on a runway with its eastern end in the Mediterranean and its western end extending into the Bay of Gibraltar, with the Atlantic beyond.
Gibraltar International Airport has long been famous for a couple of features that make it really unique. First, the main road, Winston Churchill Avenue, used to cross directly over the airport runway! This meant that the road had to be closed off, and vehicles and pedestrians had to wait at barriers whenever a plane was taking off or landing. This took place more than 15 times a day! However, the situation changed in 2023 with the construction of a tunnel beneath the runway that now allows traffic to pass without interruption.
Secondly, the runway extends out into the sea with a third of its total length being built into the water. Plus the area’s unique geography can also cause strong cross-winds. This means that landing at Gibraltar International Airport can be quite challenging for pilots. In 2012, Gibraltar was selected as one of the ‘World’s Scariest Airport Landings and Take-offs’ in the travel section of the Daily Telegraph. But rest assured, the pilots who land here are highly qualified and the airport has a remarkably good safety record!
In 2024, the airport handled 424,386 passengers and 215,385 pounds (97,697 kilograms) of cargo on a total of 3,628 flights.
History of the Airport
Gibraltar International Airport, formerly known as North Front Airport, is the civilian airport that serves Gibraltar. The Ministry of Defence owns the runway and aerodrome which are operated by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar.
The airfield was created during World War II on land that was originally Gibraltar’s horse racing track. Opened in 1936, it was initially an emergency airfield, at a time when Gibraltar was a major British naval base. A landing strip was constructed in 1940, and the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force. Then, between 1942 and 1943, the runway was extended by reclaiming land from the Bay of Gibraltar.
Direct Flights to Gibraltar
Currently only two airlines have regular flights to Gibraltar: easyJet (www.easyjet.com) and British Airways (www.britishairways.com).
British Airways has daily direct flights to Gibraltar from London Heathrow. EasyJet offers direct flights from Bristol, London Gatwick and Manchester, with a new twice weekly route from Birmingham beginning in June 2025.
The ongoing sovereignty dispute between Spain and the United Kingdom over Gibraltar has had a significant effect on the airport’s operations. Gibraltar is not part of European-wide de-regulation initiatives, such as the Single European Sky programme. This exclusion prevents direct links from Gibraltar to the European Union, as no regulation acknowledging UK sovereignty over the Gibraltar peninsula may be enforced without a prior agreement about the airport.
Passport requirements
Passports are required by all visitors to Gibraltar, except EU nationals who are in possession of a valid national identity card. As a general rule, those persons who must have a visa for entry into the United Kingdom will also require a separate visa for entry to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is outside the Schengen area. Persons who hold a Schengen visa and plan to enter Gibraltar from Spain should ensure that they will be able to return to Spain.
Visit the airport’s website here for more information.
Crossing the Runway
When you come out of the terminal building, you can turn right and head into Spain, or left for Gibraltar. To access Gibraltar on foot, you need to cross the runway. This is just one of the many unusual tourist attractions here. Visitors are often amazed to find themselves walking across the runway they had just landed on only moments earlier!
Although the area is a perfect spot for a selfie, it’s important to remember that the zone is an active runway! In order to cross the runway safely, RAF Gibraltar has provided the following guidance:
- Comply with all directions given by Police Officers
- Stay in lane
- Don’t stay too long on the runway. After all, a plane is likely to be landing or taking off soon.
- Don’t let your valuables fall out of your pockets in the wind. And be careful not to drop litter – litter entering aircraft engines can cause serious damage.
- Keep an eye on small children.
- If the lights turn red as you approach the runway, and you are asked to stop, you must wait at the barrier.
The Terminal Building
The airport is at the northern end of the peninsula, on British Lines Road. It is within walking distance of Gibraltar’s town centre, although taxis and buses are also available outside the terminal building. The passenger terminal has two baggage carousels and three departure gates. Retail services are also available in the terminal, including WH Smith, The Food Hall and Gibraltar Duty Free Shops. There is a pleasant waiting area with a viewing balcony where you can catch the last rays of sun, as well as a kids play area and car hire facilities.
The airport’s excellent location, top-rate services and direct flights to the UK provide an excellent travel experience. After arrival, just step outside and start exploring this exceptional destination.
Last Updated on March 20, 2025 by Vanessa Kingwell