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Brexit Delays Plague Gibraltar Airport, Impacting British Travelers

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. braltar-airport-impacting-british-travelers.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, February 26th 2026 at 16:26 GMT by London Evening Standard
      Locales: GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM, SPAIN

Gibraltar, February 26th, 2026 - British travellers flying through Gibraltar Airport are experiencing significant delays and increased scrutiny due to the ongoing ramifications of Brexit. While the Rock maintains close ties with the United Kingdom, the reality of a new border with the European Union, specifically through Spain, is becoming increasingly apparent, leading to longer wait times and missed connections.

For years, Gibraltar enjoyed a relatively seamless flow of people and goods with both the UK and Spain. However, since the UK's full departure from the EU, the situation has shifted. Spain, as an EU member state, now controls access to the territory and is implementing stricter border controls in accordance with EU regulations. This has created a noticeable bottleneck at Gibraltar Airport, particularly for passengers connecting to onward flights.

"We are seeing a noticeable increase in checks and a slowdown in the process," reported Sarah Jenkins, a British tourist travelling from London to Malaga via Gibraltar earlier this week. "It took nearly two hours to get through passport control, and I heard several people were worried about missing their flights. The staff were polite but clearly overwhelmed."

The economic impact of these delays is potentially substantial. Gibraltar's economy is heavily reliant on two key factors: tourism and cross-border workers. A significant proportion of the workforce consists of Spanish nationals who commute daily across the border to work in Gibraltar. Any disruption to this flow of people directly impacts businesses and services on the Rock. The tourism sector, a vital contributor to Gibraltar's GDP, is also feeling the strain, with potential visitors deterred by reports of lengthy delays.

Currently, a joint framework for border checks exists between the UK and Spain, designed to facilitate movement while complying with EU regulations. However, the implementation of these checks ultimately rests with the Spanish authorities. Spanish officials maintain that these measures are necessary to ensure compliance with EU border security protocols following Brexit. They point to a need to maintain control over who enters the Schengen Area, of which Spain is a member.

Gibraltarian authorities are actively engaged in discussions with the Spanish government to mitigate the disruption and streamline the process. Negotiations are ongoing, focusing on improving efficiency and reducing wait times. However, progress has been slow, and the situation remains challenging. One proposal under consideration involves a shared border management system that would allow for quicker and more efficient checks, but reaching a mutually acceptable agreement has proven difficult. The core issue revolves around ensuring both Spanish compliance with EU regulations and preserving the fluidity of movement that historically characterised the relationship between Gibraltar and the UK.

Industry experts suggest that the current situation is unlikely to improve significantly in the short term. "The increased checks are a direct consequence of Brexit and are likely to remain in place as long as the UK and EU continue to diverge on border policies," explained Dr. Alistair Finch, a specialist in EU-UK relations at the University of Oxford. "Gibraltar is, unfortunately, caught in the middle."

The delays are not limited to air travel. Land border crossings are also experiencing increased congestion, adding to the overall disruption. Businesses operating in Gibraltar are calling for greater clarity and transparency from both governments regarding the long-term border arrangements. They fear that prolonged delays will damage the territory's competitiveness and potentially lead to job losses.

The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the post-Brexit relationship between the UK, Gibraltar, and Spain. While both sides express a desire to maintain positive relations, the practical challenges of implementing a new border regime are proving to be significant. The future of travel and trade through Gibraltar remains uncertain, dependent on continued dialogue and a willingness to find solutions that balance the needs of all parties involved. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for border checks and monitor travel advisories for the latest updates.