GIRONA AIRPORT review : 11 July 2008 : by Geoff Becque

Customer Rating : 3/5

Arriving:-No airbridges but large standing for 6 aircraft in front of the terminal (walk to board) and a further large standing where you board via bus. Ryanair , who base 6 737-800`s here use the area directly in front of the terminal. Passport/Border control can be busy and crowded if more than one aircraft in-especially for UK passengers. Luggage collection hall is large with six carousels but again can get very busy as the Ryanair flights go out together in the morning and return at a similar time at 4-5 hour intervals during the day ,with final flights about 22.30.Other charter flights are spread out throughout the day and night with , as has been traditional for many years at holiday destinations - a "German day" , a "British day" a "Dutch day" etc.No Customs as such , just out through the doors to a full length and narrow area where Holiday and Car Hire reps. await. Coaches and a car park is straight opposite and since Ryanair arrived there has been a substantial investment by the airport including a new multi storey car park ,access roads and a new filling station/car hire area. The whole arrival system generally seems to work quite well . Departures- Check in is generally a nightmare, the area is far too small for the numbers and Ryanair will not start check in until 2 hours before departure leaving queues of 150+ sometimes snaking out of the entrance doors (and in amongst the smokers). This problem is made worse by passengers repacking luggage at the front of the line to save paying excess.It is also exasperated by the charter companies dropping off their clients 3 hours before ,making the whole area very busy.There is a large cafe/bar which is again very busy. Once checked in it gets much better and you pass upstairs , through very strict security and scanning, to the large and airy departure lounge with views of most of the airfield. Two decent sensibly priced snack restaurants,t hree large shops and loads of seating ,including an open area with bar at high season. There is no executive lounge, but with business users using the Madrid shuttle and many leisure travellers now having Priority Pass there is a gap in the market. Announcements and signs are good with departure gates normally shown well in advance , saving the last minute dash. Boarding staff are efficient and motivated for a quick turnaround. Not a bad experience and would give the airport a full 4*`s except for the bad check in experience - has to be a 3* then!

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