Corvera to start flights in December, San Javier to close

AENA officially took possession of the new Corvera airport last weekend, in a ceremony which saw the regional president hand over the symbolic keys to the building to the AENA representative, putting to an end an eight year farce which has cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of euros for feck all. AENA, of course, being the Spanish partially state owned enterprise which runs airports across the nation. The new airport will be known as Continue reading Corvera to start flights in December, San Javier to close

Almería airport reduces losses by 30% – only loses 6 million a year

Almeria airport

So that’s something. AENA “only” lost 5.9 million euros on Almeria Airport last year, and the airport now has an accumulated debt of 128 million euros. But it’s the Andalucian airport that has grown the most this year, with traffic figures up 26%, mainly due to international tourism flights and the return of flights that were cancelled in 2013. 177.784 passengers went through Almeria last year, down 23% on 2012 figures. Ryanair continues to be Continue reading Almería airport reduces losses by 30% – only loses 6 million a year

AENA national airports to be privatised

Almeria airport

The Council of Ministers has rubber stamped the sale of 49% of AENA, the operator of Spanish airports. AENA owns 46 airports and a couple of heliports, and is losing so much cash the beancounters can’t count it. 28% of the company will be floated on the stock market, and the rest sold off to technical partners and long term investors. The government had wanted to sell off 60% but has finally decided to keep Continue reading AENA national airports to be privatised

Almeria flying to 33 destinations this summer

You’ll be able to fly to 33 cities across Europe from Almeria this year, and the new Ryanair Dublin flight started yesterday. That’s more than ever before at this time of year. Until October, there will be a twice weekly service to Guinness-land. La Voz doesn’t bother listing the cities, so I won’t either, but it’s 33 cities across 14 European nations, although more could be added as we go through the year. Last year, Continue reading Almeria flying to 33 destinations this summer

Corvera airport saved from defaulting in last minute Madrid deal

Corvera airport has had a last minute injection of 40 million euros by the Spanish state to stave off bankruptcy after it failed to meet payments on a loan of 200 million euros which is now due. Aeromur, the controlling company for the unopened Murcian airport, had declared intention of bankruptcy in an attempt to force Murcia region to pay the debt. Murcia had refused, despite being the underwriter for the debt. The 40 million Continue reading Corvera airport saved from defaulting in last minute Madrid deal

Sacyr suggests opening Corvera without waiting for San Javier closure

Rumours abound over this weekend that Murcia region may have come to a tentative “road map” to start discussions over how to open Corvera in 2014. Sacyr, the builder of Corvera, was supposed to run Corvera airport via its company Aeromur. However, as the years passed and Corvera didn’t open, earlier this year Aeromur went into pre-bankruptcy and a massive debt was passed over to Murcia region. Aeromur, in theory, then lost the Corvera contract, Continue reading Sacyr suggests opening Corvera without waiting for San Javier closure

10 Spanish public airports served fewer than 1,000 passengers last month…

Despite it being summer, 10 Spanish public airports served fewer than 1,000 passengers last month, according to El Economista newspaper, which asks why these expensive, loss making airports aren’t closed. Huesca-Pirineos is the worst performing airport in Spain, having lost 97,83% of its air traffic since last year. In July, it received just 9 passengers. It was built in 2011 at a cost of 60 million euros and was expected to serve 160,000 passengers a Continue reading 10 Spanish public airports served fewer than 1,000 passengers last month…

Almeria airport now offers first 15 mins of WiFi for free

Almeria airport has changed its WiFi policy to give users the first 15 minutes of internet access for free. The airport explains that the idea is for users to quickly send emails confirming flight times, or download reading material for the flight. Anyone who needs more than 15 mins will have to pay for it at the same rates as before. Nice idea. Welcome to Almeria, the friendly airport.

Corvera airport operator says Murcia is “being laughed at” by Madrid

La Verdad de Murcia says that Aeromur -the company supposed to be running Corvera airport- and the Murcian government had a hell of a meeting last week in which Aeromur told the Murcians that they were being laughed at by Madrid, and sidelined by AENA. The row comes as Murcia confessed that it still doesn’t have a firm opening date for Corvera airport, and AENA hints that it won’t allow San Javier flights to be Continue reading Corvera airport operator says Murcia is “being laughed at” by Madrid