Malaga Routing
 

Just had my 3rd departure in 6 weeks from Malaga to Glasgow this morning.
On each occasion departed on the NW runway overland and promptly did an almost 180 degree turn back out over the coast to once again do an almost 180 degree turn back overland and onward towards Madrid, etc.
Previously all my journeys departing on the NW runway continued immediately overland without the need to turn back out to sea.
Anyone know why this is happening, ATC or similar?

Thanks

Almost certainly the reason. I like to monitor Malaga ATC when I'm down there. Regularly hear aircraft refuse clearances direct to Bailen and state that they have a mandatory turn out over the Med for terrain clearance.

The departure of the northwesterly runway (RWY 31), as Tightslot said, does indeed have a high density of hills that we'd rather avoid. So, the published departure takes us straight ahead for a couple of miles followed by a 180 degree right turn back out over the sea. Then, once past the coast, a 180 degree turn left again before a 40 degree (ish) turn to the right to continue on route.

Quite often, we can get high enough quick enough to enable us to have to make only half of the initial right turn before continuing directly north overland. If this is the case, we'll ask ATC for a direct route north.

However, because the Spanish Controllers aren't happy with their E120,000 a year, they are on a Go-Slow, so are more often than not making us fly the whole convoluted procedure, even though we are able to fly direct over land.

Hope this helps!

Many thanks to all - makes perfect sense. The routing gives you a nice view of the new runway construction as you head back for the coast.