Murcia San Javier Airport

Have flown to/ from San Javier 4 times now in the last year and it has improved greatly in this short space of time. The biggest problem is the food shop (Subway) closes at 9pm which is no good when your departing flight is at 10.30pm. The airport generally closes to inbound/ outbound flights at 11pm something to be aware of if you are delayed. We were delayed at EMA and didn't arrive at Murcia until 10.15pm it was touch and go whether they were allowed access or if we were diverted to Alicante. Usually very quick to get in and out of although the check in for Ryanair is a bit hit and miss with the queues. A good reason for finding an internet cafe and checking in online!

We have flown in and out of Murcia (San Javier) on numerous occasions (8 return flights in the last 18 months). Yes the airport has limited facilities although recent improvement have enhanced the experience and improved checking-in and baggage reclaim times. The airport opens at 1.00pm and closes at 11.00pm due to military operations. However the 2nd runway will be operational later this year and will increase operating hours. Overall it serves its purpose well (low cost airlines?) and as yet we have only experienced 1 delay which was due to the airline. I would recommend this airport to all visitors to this area of Spain.

The airport is much larger now due to recent alterations. Four flights had landed when we arrived so the arrivals hall was mobbed but by the time we sorted our car hire out the luggage was coming round the carousel and we were out the airport in less then half an hour. The return trip was even busier and check-in would have been better if they had opened earlier as the area was heaving with people as was the queue for security which was snaked in a line around the hall. Tempers become frayed when people don't seem to understand the need to go to the end of the line as courtesy to other passengers. The previous post mentions the airport closing at 9pm but this is not the case. Our flight left on time at 9.30pm and the was still a flight bound for Gatwick leaving at 9-50 pm. It is a great alternative to Alicante if your are saying in the Mar Menor area.

Awful airport. No shops - we had a 25 hour delay and this was dreadful. You couldn't buy much at their one shop apart from overpriced perfumes and alcohol you can't even smell the perfumes in their shop as no testers on display. Nothing to do there to pass the time when you have a delay which I have to add this airport has lots of delays as its a military airport and closes at 9pm and doesnt have flights between 12 and 3pm. Staff in the coffee shop were rude and will serve their own staff before others this was done on many occasions. Will never fly to Murcia again not enough staff or backup in case things go wrong. Total nightmare. Not even worth one star.

My family and I have travelled through MJV 3 times now and are just planning our fourth trip. We have never experienced any problems at the airport. the improvements airside are much better than they were two years ago with a nice duty free shop and clean toilets.

All facilities have been improved recently. From 4 checking desks last year they have now 20. All is very easy and fast. We went out to the car park and a car hire company called Rentagain.com gave us a very quick service as well. In 5 minutes we had our car keys and in 1 minute we were on the road to Villamartin. I recommend this airport for all people who go to Alicante South and Murcia.

Based on experiences back in September our flight from Newcastle was held back at NCL as our flying time was expected to be less than scheduled. As the airport is used by the military they take over at times and civilian flights are made to circle until their allotted arrival time. We still ended up having to circle 3 times and were about 15 mins late in the end! Baggage reclaim seemed about the usual with a minimum of fuss. Be warned though - the property reps are allowed in the baggage reclaim hall and will approach you while you wait for your luggage. Check-in opened on time. Good for nostalgia with the check-in agents using sheets of stickers with seat numbers on to assign the seats. Of course this may be a problem for those airlines where you can pre-seats when you purchase your flight. Airside was pretty primitive but still bearable. Just a shame all the vending machines had run out of water! Overall not a bad airport despite being some distance away from the town it is named after. And they really need to look into the military/civilian relationship. The potential for delay due to the military taking over the runway at times is an annoyance.

At the moment (before the inevitable expansion) Murcia airport proves to be much easier to negotiate (less walking) than the larger Alicante airport. There is now a snack bar near the Murcia airport entrance within a short walking distance to the check in desks and then a short walking distance to passport control and departure gate. One has to walk along the tarmac from the plane on arrival and along the tarmac again on departure but it's only a short walk and all level (except for the steps to the plane). One disadvantage to Alicante airport is that as Mike Valles (Oct.212005) mentioned there didn't appear to be a mechanical wheelchair lift but airport staff are employed to help wheelchair users off the plane.

I am going to put in a good word for MJV. I went there during a trip for which I used ALC. As you can see from my notes elsewhere I have no complaints about that but the Aire 06 airshow afforded me the opportunity to visit this neighbour. I saw a compact but perfectly adequate airport with limited eating facilities and clean toilets. It would be awfully crowded if it were busy but I believe it will grow into that up to a point. They probably won't overdo it because of the forthcoming airport (now out to tender) at Corvera. Parking was plentiful and cheap. Access to the AP-7 (motorway) is excellent. And while I'm at it the airshow was great well planned and organised with a great flightline and display area. Full marks to this part of Spain.

There is now a fully operational pay car park complete with barrier and what an improvement ! This little airport does its best to handle large volumes of low cost flights along with their low cost passengers and over the last couple of years the improvements have been immense. The food is still dreadful and seating is limited in the departure lounge. The latter is being addressed this summer - just hope that there are no delays because the space in departures soon fills up. Gone are the days when you arrived and someone had to find the steps for the aircraft but who is complaining at return flights for less than 50 euros!