The Spanish Fly - Travels in Spain

As we put our clocks and watches back in the early hours of Sunday morning, so the new flights to and from Malaga Costa del Sol Airport get underway.

AENA, the airport authority, has announced a record number of flights, with more routes than ever before. Malaga is the third busiest airport in Spain after Madrid (Barajas), and Barcelona (El Prat de Llobregat).

Photo courtesy of Solvilla Real Estate

Winter schedule

Malaga will connect to 128 airports in 30 countries with direct flights this winter.

Some 42 airlines have scheduled a total of almost 10 million seats to fly to and from Malaga Airport during the low season which starts on Sunday 27 October.

This will add five new destinations compared to 2023.

Airport operator AENA has indicated that all the signs for the winter are positive and highlights that 42 airlines will connect Malaga Airport with 128 destinations in 113 cities in more than 30 countries.

These airlines are reinforcing their presence by offering 9.7 million seats to fly to and from the Costa del Sol. This figure represents an increase of 8.2%. The volume of flights scheduled by the airlines for this period will also grow by 7.2% to 54,800 landings and take-offs.

Photo courtesy of Malaga Car Hire

The airlines are concentrating most of their efforts on Europe and Spain, although they are still committed to growth outside these areas.

In Europe, the airlines have programmed 10% more capacity, bringing together 7.5 million seats out of the 9.7 million total. In fact, of the 207 total routes that Malaga Airport will have this winter, 172 are links with European airports, according to AENA.

Markets

In terms of markets for movements between Spanish cities, the airlines have increased their offer by 2.1% more flights.  

Outside Spanish borders, there are strong increases in air capacity with Germany, with 11.4% more seats and 10.6% more operations; Italy, with 30.8% more seats and 26.7% more movements; and the Netherlands, with 12.6% more seats and 8.3% more operations.

Other countries with more flights and seats include Austria, Belgium, Norway, and Poland.

UK in the lead

The United Kingdom is unbeatable and remains the market most connected to Malaga, accounting for 44 of the 207 total routes and concentrating 1.9 million seats and 10,000 operations, representing an increase of 7.3 and 8.4%, respectively.

There will be direct flights to and from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London (all airports), Manchester, Newcastle, and Newquay.

Other countries

There are also lots of flights to France and Germany, which is good for The Spanish Fly, as he and his German missus visit Germany often.

Next Easter we are flying to Marseille for a family holiday near Avignon.

© The Spanish Fly

Acknowledgements:

AENA

Pilar Martínez

SUR in English

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From sometime next year, 2025, UK passport holders will require an ETIAS to enter most European countries

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is an acronym for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It was created in September 2018 and is designed to improve the security of EU member states within the Schengen area. It captures data on travellers that visit the 26 countries within the Schengen Area without the need for a visa.

It’s important to note that ETIAS is not a visa, it’s a visa waiver, similar to an ESTA required for entering the USA. 

Do British passport holders need an ETIAS to travel to Europe from the UK?

Currently, British citizens do not need a visa to enter EU countries and the ETIAS is not yet operational. The EU has announced that the ETIAS start date will be sometime in mid-2025, although the launch date has yet to be announced.

For the first six months, the visa waiver will not be strictly enforced. Applications will be open and travellers who complete this process will likely get through customs more quickly once they land.

However, in this grace period, anyone who meets the eligibility criteria will still be allowed to enter the Schengen Zone. As official dates haven’t been given yet, it’s thought that the hard line where people will be rejected for this will be sometime around the start of 2026.

Once the date is confirmed, UK travellers will need approval in order to enter any country in the Schengen Area, and three others.

These countries are (in alphabetical order): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland.

How do you apply?

British citizens can apply for their ETIAS online and expect a response within minutes. You must apply for it at least 96 hours before boarding transport to your destination (whether by land, air or sea).

To apply, you will need a valid passport with at least three months left before expiry. You’ll also need to provide some personal details as well as information about the countries you’re intending to visit.

The ETIAS is valid for three years and covers all countries in the Schengen Area plus Cyprus, Iceland and Romania. 

If you’re a dual citizen that holds a UK passport and an EU passport, you won’t need an ETIAS assuming you use your EU passport to enter and exit your Schengen destination.

Applicants with a criminal record will be able to apply.

How much is an ETIAS?

An ETIAS costs €7, unless you are under 18 or over 70 years of age, in which case it’s free. Those travellers will still need to obtain an ETIAS to travel, however.

How long can you travel in the EU on ETIAS?

While the ETIAS is valid for three years, the same rules for travelling to the EU remain in place. British citizens travelling as tourists can stay in an EU country for no longer than 90 days in every 180.

Note that you will need to apply for a specific type of visa if you want to work or study in the EU.

Do you need to apply for each country?

No, your ETIAS will be valid in all the countries outlined above. You only need to purchase one document for your trip.

However, on application, you will need to confirm which country you’ll be entering first.

Do you need travel insurance when travelling to the EU?

Travel insurance when travelling to the EU is not mandatory. However, it is recommended that you have cover. As well as making sure you’ll be compensated for travel issues, loss of belongings and other frequent holiday issues, you’ll have healthcare cover.

Consider applying for the EHIC or GHIC before you depart. This can help you receive discounted healthcare while in the EU.

This information was correct at time of publication on 16 September 2024. Visit etias.com for the latest developments.

©  The Spanish Fly

Acknowledgements:

ConfLegal

Echeverria Abogados

Facebook

UK ETA

Western Union

www.etias.com

www.skyscanner.com

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