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Malaga Airport - Warning

4 replies

MintChocAddict · 29/06/2008 00:08

Just flown back from Malaga airport- total chaos. If you're flying home from there, try to get to your zone/gate area as quickly as possible after checking in/going through baggage checks. Problem seems to lie with passport control (last bit before going to gate) - Only two passport guards on duty for what must have been about two thousand people all trying to get to the same place - Zone C - where all the British flights seem to leave from. Stood in a packed queue of thousands of travellers all trying to get to Zone C for approx 1 hour which led into a very claustrophobic tunnel with little air conditioning. Lots of children in buggies, pregnant women, elderly travellers etc visibly wilting in the heat. Nice airport employee was moving down the queue to explain that the guards were working to rule with no exceptions made for boarding times etc. Upshot was that all gates had some passengers at them and the remaining passengers of all the flights stuck at various places in the tunnel and back out in the main terminal building. All UK flights were subsequently delayed. Pilot on our flight stated that Malaga Airport was a complete shambles, extremely understaffed and utterly chaotic and that the situation has been growing steadily worse for weeks. Big long rambling story but the jist of it is, you'll have a much more comfortable delay at your gate area than standing in a sweaty tunnel!!!

OP posts:
Shitemum · 29/06/2008 00:20

Thanks, that's good to know. I'll be flying from Malaga soon with the 2 small DDs.
Problem is since they won't let you take your own drinks etc you do have to spend some time buying food and drink before getting to the gate...

Are the passport guards trying to provoke a strike or something? (have vague memory of 'work to rule' being a term related to strikes...?)

Coming into Malaga is always a nightmare - that endless, endless pramless walk to baggage collection carrying toddlers and handbaggage...

MintChocAddict · 29/06/2008 22:23

Hi Shitemum (Magic name BTW!)
I had loads of food in my bag and took it right through onto the plane. They asked me at the baggage check and x-ray bit if the food and drink was for the baby and then just let me through. Didn't have to taste it or anything. I had weetabix, milk, water, tuna sandwiches and a variety of snacks (he's a big boy!!) all in the pram bag, but didn't seem to be an issue. All the crap happened later at the supposedly straightforward passport control!!!!
I thought that work to rule was a strike term too, but DH reckons it just means that they are continuing to be very thorough and taking their time to check and double check each passport despite the massive queues building up as a result.
I know what you mean about coming into Malaga. I almost gave up the will to live on that walk!

OP posts:
amidaiwish · 29/06/2008 23:31

do yourselves a favour and fly to Gibraltar instead... really fast great airport!

nappyaddict · 01/07/2008 13:26

I wonder if it's any better if you have night flights.

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