GIBRALTAR (LXGB)
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Schengen complicates the dual access
For non EU passengers:
Gibraltar does not require a Schengen visa for access, as NOT part of EU, but requires a British visa.
Spain does.
At present you are unable to use Gibraltar as an access route to Spain, unless you have a UK visa.
This situation must be resolved before Gibraltar can not be a dual use airport.
Not impossible look at Basle as an example.
Bumz
Gibraltar does not require a Schengen visa for access, as NOT part of EU, but requires a British visa.
Spain does.
At present you are unable to use Gibraltar as an access route to Spain, unless you have a UK visa.
This situation must be resolved before Gibraltar can not be a dual use airport.
Not impossible look at Basle as an example.
Bumz
Last edited by Bumz_Rush; 10th May 2006 at 09:23. Reason: confused post
Bumz-
Although Basel-Mulhouse airport is 'shared' Swiss/French, neither has territorial ambitions on the other. However, the Spanish claim sovereignty over Gibraltar. That will always be the problem.
Although Basel-Mulhouse airport is 'shared' Swiss/French, neither has territorial ambitions on the other. However, the Spanish claim sovereignty over Gibraltar. That will always be the problem.
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the Monarch go around
According to a contact on the Rock, the incident was "caused" by the failure of the radar on the rock.......not certain why this should be the cause, as the procedure published is quite clear...but the closeness to the Morish Castle should have made a great picture.
So how is the CM prgressing....????
So how is the CM prgressing....????
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Not very well by the looks of it
Trouble at 'Mill 
AIR PASSENGERS HIT BY LENGTHY DELAYS AFTER SHOCK MOD AIRPORT CLOSURE
• “We will minimise risk of this happening again” – says MoD
F Oliva reports
A serious row is developing between local airlines and the Ministry of Defence following the latter’s unprecedented decision to close down the Gibraltar airport yesterday afternoon, due to illness affecting two air traffic controllers.
The move comes at a critical time for the airport, with a raging controversy over increased landing charges not dampening political confidence in an agreement for commercial expansion being reached at the Tripartite Forum this summer.
The MoD decision caused widespread disruption to air services yesterday with GB Airways [and Monarch], having to make alternative arrangements for its flights from Gibraltar, and having to bus passengers to Malaga airport.
Last night’s GB Airways flight was not expected to arrive at Gatwick airport until 2.35 am with the passengers subsequently having to be transported by coach to their Heathrow destination.
“The situation is incredible. The companies should not allow this to happen,” a well placed source at GB Airways said yesterday.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the RAF Airfield would close at 1750 hours after two controllers were “taken off roster due to unforeseen sickness.”
The remaining two could only offer “a limited safe service due to important legal restrictions on their operating hours,” added an MoD spokesman.
Airline executives were hard at work last night making the necessary alternative flight arrangements to minimise inconvenience and make this “as sweet as possible” for passengers.
However prospects for passengers looked glum as they faced the discomfort of lengthy delays and two coach trips before arriving at their destination well into the early hours.
British Airways apologised to passengers in writing, saying the matter was beyond the airline’s control.
As a result of the MoD decision, last night’s incoming GB Airways flight had to be diverted to Malaga and the passengers were coached down to the Rock.
For its part the 8.30pm flight to Heathrow had to be rescheduled to operate out of Malaga airport with passengers checking in and subsequently being coached to Malaga. The flight was expected to land at Gatwick at 2.35 am with passengers transported to Heathrow airport by coach.
Informed sources yesterday linked this development to the on-going row about landing charges, with the MoD arguing that the only way to keep these at a minimum would be to close down at night.
MOD STATEMENT
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Air Traffic Control at RAF Gibraltar is contracted to NATS (National Air Traffic Services). Unfortunately two of yesterday’s aircraft controllers have been taken off roster due to unforeseen sickness and the remaining two controllers can now only offer a limited safe service due to important legal restrictions on their operating hours.”
“This means that RAF Gibraltar is unable to handle the two evening flights, ZB062 from Luton operated by Monarch Airways and GB Airways flight BA6906 from Gatwick. We have reviewed all available options carefully but unfortunately there is no leeway given the strict legal requirements. Today’s schedules will be unaffected by the shortfall in controllers. MoD, in conjunction with the Senior Air Traffic Controller has adjusted the controllers’ operating window and we have therefore notified a restriction in the airfield opening hours which means we can cater for all pre-planned movements.”
“On behalf of NATS (Air Traffic Control) MOD wishes to apologise for this unforeseen inconvenience, which is beyond our control. Flight safety is though, as all will appreciate, of paramount importance. MoD will be taking up the issue with NATS to minimise the risk of this happening again.”
AIR PASSENGERS HIT BY LENGTHY DELAYS AFTER SHOCK MOD AIRPORT CLOSURE
• “We will minimise risk of this happening again” – says MoD
F Oliva reports
A serious row is developing between local airlines and the Ministry of Defence following the latter’s unprecedented decision to close down the Gibraltar airport yesterday afternoon, due to illness affecting two air traffic controllers.
The move comes at a critical time for the airport, with a raging controversy over increased landing charges not dampening political confidence in an agreement for commercial expansion being reached at the Tripartite Forum this summer.
The MoD decision caused widespread disruption to air services yesterday with GB Airways [and Monarch], having to make alternative arrangements for its flights from Gibraltar, and having to bus passengers to Malaga airport.
Last night’s GB Airways flight was not expected to arrive at Gatwick airport until 2.35 am with the passengers subsequently having to be transported by coach to their Heathrow destination.
“The situation is incredible. The companies should not allow this to happen,” a well placed source at GB Airways said yesterday.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the RAF Airfield would close at 1750 hours after two controllers were “taken off roster due to unforeseen sickness.”
The remaining two could only offer “a limited safe service due to important legal restrictions on their operating hours,” added an MoD spokesman.
Airline executives were hard at work last night making the necessary alternative flight arrangements to minimise inconvenience and make this “as sweet as possible” for passengers.
However prospects for passengers looked glum as they faced the discomfort of lengthy delays and two coach trips before arriving at their destination well into the early hours.
British Airways apologised to passengers in writing, saying the matter was beyond the airline’s control.
As a result of the MoD decision, last night’s incoming GB Airways flight had to be diverted to Malaga and the passengers were coached down to the Rock.
For its part the 8.30pm flight to Heathrow had to be rescheduled to operate out of Malaga airport with passengers checking in and subsequently being coached to Malaga. The flight was expected to land at Gatwick at 2.35 am with passengers transported to Heathrow airport by coach.
Informed sources yesterday linked this development to the on-going row about landing charges, with the MoD arguing that the only way to keep these at a minimum would be to close down at night.
MOD STATEMENT
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Air Traffic Control at RAF Gibraltar is contracted to NATS (National Air Traffic Services). Unfortunately two of yesterday’s aircraft controllers have been taken off roster due to unforeseen sickness and the remaining two controllers can now only offer a limited safe service due to important legal restrictions on their operating hours.”
“This means that RAF Gibraltar is unable to handle the two evening flights, ZB062 from Luton operated by Monarch Airways and GB Airways flight BA6906 from Gatwick. We have reviewed all available options carefully but unfortunately there is no leeway given the strict legal requirements. Today’s schedules will be unaffected by the shortfall in controllers. MoD, in conjunction with the Senior Air Traffic Controller has adjusted the controllers’ operating window and we have therefore notified a restriction in the airfield opening hours which means we can cater for all pre-planned movements.”
“On behalf of NATS (Air Traffic Control) MOD wishes to apologise for this unforeseen inconvenience, which is beyond our control. Flight safety is though, as all will appreciate, of paramount importance. MoD will be taking up the issue with NATS to minimise the risk of this happening again.”
This is the second time that this has happened since NATS were awarded the contract from SERCO.
Looks as if their "lead in period" for this service is somewhat longer than envisaged!!
One wonders how SERCO would have dealt with the lack of staff compared to NATS. certainly tonight on GIB TV the Chief Minsiter had a lot to say about it - somewhat ironic when the Gib Govt does very little to enhance and promote the airfield on their own.
Nivsy
Looks as if their "lead in period" for this service is somewhat longer than envisaged!!
One wonders how SERCO would have dealt with the lack of staff compared to NATS. certainly tonight on GIB TV the Chief Minsiter had a lot to say about it - somewhat ironic when the Gib Govt does very little to enhance and promote the airfield on their own.
Nivsy
