Gibraltar airport arrivals to show passports to Spanish officials

Passengers arriving at Gibraltar airport are set to see dual border control checks, in a model similar to French authorities operating in London’s St Pancras station.

Details about the post-Brexit arrangements are in a draft UK-EU treaty, which builds on a political agreement made last year about the British overseas territory.

When the new checks come into force, those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face a check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU.

A Foreign Office statement said the agreement “creates a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, and a tailored customs model that will eliminate burdensome goods checks at the land border”.  

It means routine passport checks will not be needed for the estimated 15,000 people who cross the Spain-Gibraltar frontier each day.

The statement said: “Every day, around 15,000 people – over half of Gibraltar’s workforce – cross the border. Without an agreement, the EU’s Entry/Exit system would see a hard border enforced, with mandatory passport checks and endless queues.

“This would devastate Gibraltar’s economy, costing hundreds of millions a year and putting pressure on the UK taxpayer for fiscal support.”

The deal also “opens the door to direct flights between Gibraltar and EU destinations, strengthening connectivity and economic opportunities”, added the statement.

Europe minister Stephen Doughty said: “This treaty ensures that Gibraltar’s economy, people, and future are protected as an integral part of the British family.

“Working closely with the government of Gibraltar – and agreeing nothing without their consent – we have a treaty that preserves sovereignty and delivers certainty when Gibraltar’s way of life was threatened.”

Chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo said: “This is a safe and secure agreement we have negotiated alongside the UK and that unequivocally protects our position on sovereignty, safeguards our economy and delivers the certainty our people and businesses need.”

Reports said the arrangements are set to come into force in March.

The BBC said that pressure to reach a deal had been mounting ahead of the full application of new checks on passengers entering the passport-free Schengen zone in April.

A ‘Schengen Shack’ is reportedly planned for the northern end of the airport as the border control facility for Gibraltarian and Spanish law enforcement officers.

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