Murcia San Javier Airport

If you are travelling to San Javier airport this summer be aware there are no shops airside the terminal building is currently being extended to accommodate more flights. Parking is still an issue although they have now installed barriers so this should reduce the issues soon.

Facilities are primitive and limited in this small basic terminal. Our flight arrived 25 minutes early-we then waited 35 minutes for our luggage. Smokers should note that cigarettes are not sold in the shops either at check-in or past security. They sell a very limited supply of spirits and wine only. There are unlimited opportunities to buy a property in the region both on arrival and departure. Public transport to and from the airport is very limited. Direct buses run to Murcia City in the afternoon and evening only-tickets available for sale in the terminal-Visa and Mastercard only-no cash. There is no local bus service to the airport. If you are going to Murcia or Cartagena take a taxi to San Javier and pick up a bus there. Taxi prices are not displayed. Taxis to the local resort of Lo Pagan will take the long fast expensive motorway route rather than the short fast cheap route on the local road.

Some information concerning Murcia San Javier Airport for wheelchair disabled passengers. There is no 'lifter' facility for wheelchair passengers to embark/disembark from aircraft. They use 2 strong men to transfer you to a special chair then strap you in before being carried down the steps. This is not very dignified (unless of course you enjoy being carried by strong men!). Also the disabled toilets are on the landside so you have to return (and subsequently re-enter) security if you are airside and wish to use a disabled toilet.

San Javier is due to undergo a refit very soon offering more check in desks to cope with the new runway that will be fully operational by summer 2006. Currently the airport is great to fly into great views as you come into land you go straight from the aircraft into the terminal building. The wait for luggage appears to be dependant on the airline you fly with. Fly with BA the luggage is very quick but with Ryanair it can be a half hour or more as it would appear that all hands are needed to load the plane to turn it around quickly enough. If you are staying on the Costa Calida or the Southern Costa Blanca MJV is very convenient as you can be on the motorway in 5 mins. They do not charge for parking so this can be haphazard

MJV to London on 5th September. A number of flight delays meant around 500 people crammed into the small departure lounge. Only 1 toilet and with temperatures of 37 degrees outside the air conditioning could not cope. We spent 5 hours cooped up until our delayed flight. Why have they accepted so much business without completing the infrastructure.

San Javier airport in the shore of Mar Menor is mostly used by the spanish airforce and there is a large base there. For normal passengers there is a small terminal with basic services. Terminal cannot cope with large masses so there are not many flights coming in which make it quite a peaceful place. Check-in is fast.