Airport News
with Robbie Shaw
Robbie Shaw lives near Gatwick where he was an Air Traffic Controller and travels regularly to his place in Collioure. His wife describes him as an ‘aviation geek’, just what we need in fact. 🙂
He travels all over the world photographing aircraft, and also keeps you up to date with flights between this region and UK & Irish airports, and any other airport news that seems relevant.
Correct at the time of writing, this article covers the period through until October 2022.
WINTER 2022-23
Bear in mind that if there is a large increase in Covid infections, things could change quickly.
The bulk of flights to the region in 2022 have been operated by Ryanair, and to their credit they certainly have been the most reliable this summer, followed by Jet2.
As usual, my best suggestion is to constantly monitor the airline websites yourself in these uncertain times.
What has been very noticeable in 2022 is the increase in car hire prices, especially with the major companies. For instance, I have just been quoted over €2,000 for a small car for two weeks in Ireland. Do let us know if you hear of any companies that are still doing good deals!
As always, as soon as I compile this there are bound to be changes.
Bon voyage and bonne chance!
FRANCE
PERPIGNAN
As usual, no UK flights to Perpignan in the winter season.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| None | 0 | None |
BEZIERS
Like Carcassonne, Ryanair has a free run at this small airport. Rather strangely their website shows only the Luton service survives in the winter.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| LUTON | 2 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-22 Mar |
CARCASSONNE
Ryanair remains the sole operator here. Services are significantly reduced in winter season, with only Manchester, Stansted and Dublin featuring.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| MANCHESTER | 2 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-24 Mar |
| STANSTED | 2 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-24 Mar |
| DUBLIN | 2 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-24 Mar |
MONTPELLIER
EasyJet operate from both Gatwick and Luton. The latter only for a short period in summer only, so in winter is Gatwick only.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| GATWICK | 4-8 | EASYJET 30 Oct-25 Mar |
NIMES
No flights in winter.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| None | 0 | None |
TOULOUSE / BLAGNAC
There tends to be more flights to Toulouse from UK regional airport in the winter due to skiing opportunities, with Andorra not too far away. Rather oddly Aer Lingus Dublin flights do not start until 26 December. This could change. New Ryanair service from Birmingham, and increased service to Stansted and Dublin. Increase in easyJet service.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| BIRMINGHAM | 2 | RYANAIR 31 Oct-24 Mar |
| EDINBURGH | 2 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-22 Mar |
| GATWICK | 10-19 | EASYJET 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| HEATHROW | 21 | BRITISH AWYS 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| STANSTED | 14 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| DUBLIN |
2 4 |
AER LINGUS 26 Dec-24 Mar RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar |
SPAIN
BARCELONA / EL PRAT
As always, a huge variety of flights to Barcelona, most of which run all year round, but with seasonal increases.
For those unfamiliar, take care on the Barcelona ring-road, one wrong turn could be very time consuming.
Quite a few changes. There are now four operators on the Manchester route. EasyJet have dropped the Belfast, Glasgow and Liverpool services. This winter Vueling are no longer offering flights from Belfast City, Cardiff, and Newcastle. Jet2 have added Birmingham. Ryanair have dropped East Midlands and Prestwick but added Newcastle. British Airways have increased their Heathrow service to a ridiculous 60 flights a week whilst Vueling have 48 a week from Gatwick.
So from the three major London airports there are around 166 flights a week!
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| BIRMINGHAM |
2 7 5 |
JET2 30 Oct-23 Mar RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar VUELING 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| BRISTOL |
10 4 |
EASYJET 30 Oct-25 Mar RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| EDINBURGH | 7 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| GATWICK |
30 48 |
EASYJET 30 Oct-25 Mar VUELING 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| HEATHROW | 60 | BRITISH AWYS 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| LEEDS BRADFORD | 2 |
JET2 31 Oct-23 Nov JET2 10 Feb-24 Mar |
| LIVERPOOL | 2 | RYANAIR 2 Nov-25 Mar |
| LUTON |
14 4 |
EASYJET 30 Oct – 25 Mar RYANAIR 31 Oct-25 Mar |
| MANCHESTER |
2 2 10 6 |
JET2 30 Oct-24 Mar EASYJET 31 Oct-24 Mar RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar VUELING 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| NEWCASTLE | 2 | RYANAIR 1 Nov-25 Mar |
| STANSTED | 28 | RYANAIR 30 Oct-25 Mar |
| CORK | 3 | VUELING 1 Nov-22 Mar |
| DUBLIN |
14 18 7 |
AER LINGUS 30 Oct–24 Mar RYANAIR 30 Oct-24 Mar VUELING 30 Oct-25 Mar |
GIRONA
In the last couple of years there had been a big increase in flights to Girona. No doubt passenger confidence in the Boeing 737MAX will have taken a battering after two crashes, and the type being grounded for a considerable time.
To counter this Ryanair has renamed the 737-MAX8 as the 737-8200, and several are now in service, with many more to come. Subject to aircraft deliveries the number of flights listed could well change.
The Ryanair winter service from Cork and Dublin continues to 3 November. Winter service has been discontinued for all others except Stansted.
Jet2 who suddenly found the airport two years ago had a whole raft of flights. However for the winter they have dropped ALL routes, though Birmingham and Stansted do operate to the end of October. So come the winter season Girona becomes a ghost town for P-O readers.
| From | N° of weekly flights | Airline |
| BIRMINGHAM | 0 | JET2 only 28-31 Oct |
| CORK | 0 | RYANAIR only 1st and 3rd Nov |
| DUBLIN | 0 | RYANAIR only 1st and 3rd Nov |
| STANSTED |
0 2 |
JET2 only 28-31 Oct RYANAIR 31 Oct-24 Mar |
**Please note that these are the average number of flights per week, and will be variable in the shoulder and peak seasons, that is why you will sometimes see a minimum and maximum number listed. If you think I have missed any, please contact me on info@anglophone-direct.com. Please do bear in mind airline schedules fluctuate.**
AIRPORT TRANSPORT (please contact us with any new info)
PERPIGNAN
Bus/Train ……. The airport bus from Perpignan railway station takes about 20 mins and runs regularly from around 06.30 to 19.30 Mon to Sat, with a much reduced service on Suns and Holidays.
Taxi..…..3 taxi firms have the right to use the forecourt at Perpignan airport. Prices average about 2€50 per km, so fares for single trips to coastal resorts and the Alberes/Vallespir can be eye-watering !
Car..…… PGF is north of the city near Rivesaltes. Since the recent modernisation, parking supply is ample and costs around 40€ per week.
CARCASSONNE
Bus/Train.….you can travel to Carcassonne railway station from almost any station in P-O, but must usually change at Narbonne. From Carcassonne, there is a shuttle bus that individually connects with each flight departure and arrival. Single fare 5€.
Car.……The airport is right by jcn 23 of the A61 autoroute. There are 3 car parks: short, medium and long stay, and a week in the latter costs 40€.
BEZIERS
Bus/Train…….All trains from PO stations to Montpellier and beyond stop at Beziers. From there, there is a shuttle bus that individually connects with each departing and arriving flight. Single fare 1€60.
Car. …..the airport is close to jcn 35 of the A9 autoroute. There is ample parking right next to the terminal and costs 40€ per week.
GIRONA
www.aena.es/en/girona-costa-brava-airport
Bus/train ……… Not an easy airport to access by public transport anymore. A train from Perpignan will take you to Girona station, the easiest option from there being a taxi at around 40 euros. ( price not confirmed).
You can also take a bus to the airport from Girona’s bus station, not far from train station to the Girona Buses run every hour & travel time is 26 minutes. Check bus schedules HERE
Pick up Flixbus directly to the airport from Perpignan. Prices are reasonable but timetable can be constrictive
Car.…….The airport is right by jcn 8 of the AP7 autopista. Several car parking companies exist both on and off the airport, and the official on-airport car park do regular promotions. For example, at the time of writing, a prebooked stay of 7 to 20 days costs a flat 42€.
BARCELONA
www.aena.es/en/barcelona-airport
Train……. The new Barcelona Metro line L9 now serves both Terminal 1 and 2 but only from stations south of the city so is of limited use if coming from P-O . The suburban train R2 Nord runs from Sants station in the city every half hour, but serves only T2 . As regards accessing Barcelona by rail from P-O, there are 4 trains to/from Perpignan daily direct to Sants station, but unfortunately the earliest of these arrives Sants at 12.38 and the latest departs Sants at 16.45. A better bet is Figueres Vilafant (AVE) station which offers a virtually hourly service to Sants from 06.30 to 21.00 daily.
Bus….. The Aerobus runs from the Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona city centre all day every 5 minutes to Terminal 1 and every 10 mins to Terminal 2. Perpicat run one morning service direct to Barcelona airport at a single fare of 50€ . There is a free green shuttle bus between terminals.
Car.…… Barcelona airport is on the south of the city just off the C31 autovia. I find that, generally, easiest access is via the AP7 toll road, continuing round the city onto the A2 autovia as far as the C31. Reckon on 2h15 mins from Le Boulou. Once there, parking options are vast. As a rule of thumb, the nearer the airport terminal, the more you’ll pay, but even at popular times you should need to pay no more than 8€ per day. I recommend looking at the official airport site, as there are often deals and promotions. For example at the time of writing prebooked up to 20 day stays in the main T1 multi storey just 3 minutes walk from the terminal were only 75€ ! Another option, particularly if you are catching an early flight is using one of the 4 local hotels that offer free shuttle buses direct to the terminals. You can leave your car free by the hotel, and usually rooms are available booking in advance for about 70€ . Try www.booking.com for details.
