Eastern Airways makes its inaugural flight from Southampton to Gibraltar

Gibraltar EU

Border controls would move to the Rock's airport and port. Image: Gibraltar Government

AS Wizzair reinstates its Gibraltar flights from London Luton, Eastern Airways operated their inaugural service from Southampton on Monday May 24.

This new service is operating twice weekly, year-round, on Mondays and Fridays and flown with Embraer E170 and E190 jets.

The Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the the Port, Vijay Daryanani was at the airport to welcome the flight, along with teams from Gibraltar International Airport and the Gibraltar Tourist Board.

Arriving passengers were presented with Visit Gibraltar branded gifts and the aircraft was welcomed with the traditional arch of water for its first landing.

The arch of water

Minister Daryanani said, “Today we see the culmination of my hard work, with the full support of the Government, in achieving a new carrier for Gibraltar.

“We warmly welcome Eastern Airway’s new service, opening up another catchment area for Gibraltar.

“The service will be another boost to our tourism and business communities. We look forward to working with the airline on more opportunities for the future.”

 

Written by

John Smith

Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments


    • James Gaitley

      02 June 2021 • 14:53

      Hello John,

      Just for information: Exiting Gib at around 13.00Hrs today my wife and I had our passports stamped.
      The border policeman asked if we were Spanish resident, we replied no, but were Gib resident of more than six years. We displayed our Blue residents card but he said they would only accept the red cards as proof of residence.
      Maybe this is the thin edge of the wedge?

      James.

      • John Smith

        02 June 2021 • 15:49

        Hello James,

        I will be visiting Gib on Saturday as usual with my British passport and will see if I get stamped for the first time. Many years ago when the border was re-opened for Gib residents I went with my wife who was born there. I had my passport stamped going in but the Guardia Civil officer didn’t want to let me out. After much tooing and froing he cancelled my cancelled my ingoing stamp which meant I had never been there so could leave!

    • James Gaitley

      02 June 2021 • 14:53

      Hello John,

      Just for information: Exiting Gib at around 13.00Hrs today my wife and I had our passports stamped.
      The border policeman asked if we were Spanish resident, we replied no, but were Gib resident of more than six years. We displayed our Blue residents card but he said they would only accept the red cards as proof of residence.
      Maybe this is the thin edge of the wedge?

      James.

      • John Smith

        02 June 2021 • 15:49

        Hello James,

        I will be visiting Gib on Saturday as usual with my British passport and will see if I get stamped for the first time. Many years ago when the border was re-opened for Gib residents I went with my wife who was born there. I had my passport stamped going in but the Guardia Civil officer didn’t want to let me out. After much tooing and froing he cancelled my cancelled my ingoing stamp which meant I had never been there so could leave!

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