It’s OPEN! The “NEW” but late Corvera Airport (Murcia International) is about a 1 hour drive from the Hondon Valley. This now gives Hondón residents and local visitors more options for flights (see below), travel and indeed promises to open up the Spanish property and work market. (Note in April 2019 there is a proposed name change to Juan de la Cierva Airport – [ link ])
WEBSITE: https://www.corveraairporttravel.com/
GOOGLE MAPS: https://goo.gl/maps/YaswKLAnxHPN8v3R6
The village of Corvera is 25 minutes inland between the cities of Murcia, Costa Calida and Cartagena so tourists and homeowners on the coast like the Mar Menor and in Orihuela Costa will have a longer transfer time than they did from old airport atSan Javier. However, the increased choice of airlines and the frequency of flights should more than make up for this.
Of course it is still early days as to how this airport will impact on both tourism and the regional property market, but we are hopeful and excited as Hondón Villas have noticed over the last year or so, more property enquiries and listings towards that way.
Sadly, it has meant the small (military) San Javier airport has now ceased all commercial operations. And the promised Paramount theme park will not be built near-by, due to the long delays. Alicante Airport remains more convenient to our local area (about 35 minutes). However, Corvera airport still promises to become a major gateway to south east Spain (Murcia and Alicante regions). However the early signs are that Air services are slowly taking shape, as is the on-site facilities.
Having lived in Spain for about 15 years now we know Corvera was on the radar back then. But, sadly, Corvera has had a chequered history. Many businesses invested in the area on the strength of this important infrastructure and the proposed economic boost, particularly for the golf resorts, hospitality & entertainment industries. The airport started construction about 10 years ago and took 4 years to build. So sadly, it stood idle for 6 years despite many commercial and political attempts to get the airport up and running mush sooner.
The good news: in January 2019, the Murcia International Airport in Corvera was opened by King Felipe of Spain. The occasion was marked by the touch-down of its first commercial flight – a Ryanair service from the East Midlands.
It would seem for the immediate future the airport will cater for northern Europeans coming to Spain, their key market. Like Ryanair, EasyJet has also launched UK flights to Murcia International and other airlines due to start routes include TUI, Norwegian Air and Jet2. The frequency will be ramped up in time for the summer 2019. There are plans and capacity to take flights from other international links and further afield. Also the airport can take larger aircraft than San Javier which should mean more visitors to the area.
As for Corvera airport facilities, these are sparse at the time of writing but will increase as traffic improves. Covering 37,000 square metres, there are 24 check-in counters, 9 boarding gates, a few shops, cash machines, wi-fi, parking, taxis, bus services, car hire and hotel possibilities. [ Visit the Corvera website for up-to-date details of facilities and flights ] If you use the airport let us now what you think?
Airlines & Destinations (as of May 2019)
Airlines Operating From Corvera (RMU)
Air Nostrum : Easyjet : Norwegian Air : Ryanair : Jet2 : TUI : Volotea : Smartwings
2019 Destinations (check with your airline):
EasyJet:
London Gatwick & London Southend & Bristol
Ryanair:
London Stansted & London Luton
Manchester & East Midlands & Birmingham
Leeds Bradford & Bournemouth
Dublin & Glasgow Prestwick
Jet2:
Leeds Bradford & Manchester
Norwegian Air:
Oslo & Stavanger & Bergen & Trondheim
Tui: Antwerp & Charleroi
Volotea: Asturias
Smartwings: Prague
