GIBRALTAR Airport could serve millions more passengers under plans to turn it into a gateway for the surrounding area of southern Spain.
The government believes the border agreement could expand the airport’s potential market from around 38,000 people to four million.
Tourism Minister Christian Santos said airlines had shown interest in possible connections involving Spain, France, the Netherlands and other European destinations.
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However, no new route has yet been agreed.
Officials believe Gibraltar is now the nearest airport for people living within 35 kilometres of the Rock.
Those living between 35 and 60 kilometres away could have a choice between Gibraltar and Malaga Airport.
The government is now trying to attract both passengers from nearby Spanish towns and international visitors heading to the wider region.
With the UK market already covered, attention is turning to other European destinations.
Officials have studied the services offered by nearby airports, along with passenger numbers and demand from people living in the surrounding area.
They are using those findings in discussions with airlines, which will ultimately decide whether any route makes commercial sense.
New services are unlikely to appear immediately, however, as the process of securing a route usually takes between 12 and 18 months, while airlines have already announced many of their upcoming schedules.
That means any additional flights are unlikely before summer 2027. There are also limits on how far the airport can expand.
Its runway restricts the size of aircraft that can operate there, while new services would have to fit within the available schedule.
Santos said: “It will be slow and steady. Slow and steady wins the race.”
The government also hopes additional flights will encourage more passengers to stay in Gibraltar.
Officials estimate that visitors are currently divided roughly equally between those who remain on the Rock and those who cross into Spain.
Santos said new hotel operators had also shown interest, while visitors were spending more nights in Gibraltar than during the previous year.
No airline, route or firm launch date has yet been announced.
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