Menorca Airport is situated about 15mins away from the captial of the island Mahon. Otherwise known as Mahon Airport it is currently undergoing a regenration project to further improve the facilities to its passengers with a new terminal which should have views over the airfield and its single runway. The airport has a flying club situated to one side of the airfield although another smaller airfield is located about 20mins away in San Luis. The airport serves the Baleric islands and Spains main airports throughout the year with only the months of April to October served from various destination countries from mainly europeantour operators with the busiest airport days being primarily at the weekends including Fridays and Mondays. The airport is the main gateway to the second largest of the Balearic islands unless you want to catch the ferry or catamaran from Majorca.
On arrival buses meet your aircraft and ferry you to just under the new terminal construction work where you have to disembark and make your way through a long corridor
with a police inspection point (make sure you have your passports ready).
The baggage hall is a short turn around a corner with only around 8 or so baggage belts it should not be a huge dilemma to find your luggage which is most probably at the belts going round by the time you get to the terminal (unless its still where you came from). Behind the belts are the handling agents information desks and also a selection of car hire companies desks such as AVIS, HERTZ and EUROPCAR.
Inbetween these desks is a glass door which leads into a small but welcoming arrivals hall. Usually the hall is packed with Tour Reps, Pre-booked taxis, Coach Drivers and people waiting to pick up family or friends. On your right the arrivals hall is filled with tour companies desks and a small but expensive café.
No bus service runs from the airport to the capital or anywhere else but taxis are on hand just outside the arrivals terminal doors to take you anywhere over the island. Pre-printed tariffs are available on request from the drivers, but usually they are honest locals so do not expect to be ripped off. If your with a tour company the coach park is now located to the left and out the main doors and not right as previously used.
Car-hire, Taxi or Coach transfer is the only transport to and from the airport. The island of Menorca does not have a rail system. If you have hired a car, your car can be found just outside the arrivals doors and across the road as-well as the airport parking. Lifts are situated outside and just by the information desk in arrivals. Menorca activley promotes waste management and conservation of its habitat so usually the information desk is out promoting with various things.
The departures area which is small compared to the vast amount of visitors the island attracts year on year is located just upstairs and not through various corridors and lifts and stairs. On arrival to departures you can be expected to be dropped off by taxi right outside the terminal doors, if you have opted for a coach transfer the coach park is located at the end of the upper departures terminal and a 2-5 minute walk will be required. Car-hire needs to be dropped back at the car-hire car park opposite arrivals and you can take the stairs or lift up to departures.
As you stand facing the 21 check in desks the handling agents desks are dotted both sides and right in the middle is the information desk, ask them anything but they will re-direct you to your airlines agent if its nothing to do with them. The departures area is divided into two, on your left you have international departures (which is closed in winter) and to your right is internal departures. The check in desk staff are very friendly, but having worked at the airport for two years dont get on their bad side or you could end up at opposite ends of the plane from friends or family (unless you have pre-booked your seats together). A few shops are dotted around, such as Jaime Mascaro which sells leather shoes, handbags etc which is local produce from the island, a small electrics shop and through internal departures is a café which anyone can go to. Cash Machines are also located through internal departures and the airport gives plenty of screens and overhead panels with all flight details listed.
As you check in be very careful not to mistake the desk numbers with the gate numbers. Check in desk 12 is for last mintue check in. As their is only 21 desks flights check in one after another at the same desks on busy days and the end of one flight becomes entangled with the next.
As you enter international departures having proceeded past the security check point a café is located to your left. A fast-food point is located in the centre of the departure lounge hall with plenty of seats dotted around everywhere. Aldeasa the national duty free shop is located at the back of the departure lounge with a selection of duty free, but has everything you require, even Britney Spearsperfumes and all the brands of cigerettes you can muster up. Queues can be long as they have to stick stickers on the cigerettes etc and the turnover of passengers in the lounge is high.
A childs play area was located in departures to keep the little ones occupied but think it has been taken out due to safety and a new one being placed into the new terminal. A newsagents sells international papers and magazines at expected prices but small gifts and trinkets are expensive.
Should you experience a delay, not only is the information well communicated but upstairs in departures is a small un-used café area, this is the area where the airport serves your food if your delayed for a certain period of time. Not only that if you want to catch the last few rays before you board the aircraft a sun-terrace with a bar, sunbeds, tables and chairs is located up there also. A lift is available and airport prices are expensive so take your own food and drink to keep you going until its time to go.
About 13 gates across the front of the depature lounge are easily visible so missing your flight is hardly likely. They use gate 1 for pre-boarding disabled passengers. Between the gates you can find the two main handling agents information desks of Iberia and InEuropa. Coaches wait outside for the short ride back to the aircraft.
The airport should be an easy experience compared with huge airports like Majorca, Heathrow etc. The staff are friendly and will help you out if you ask them too. If you have the fortune of taking off on the northen runway and you are seated on the left hand side of the aircraft dont forget to take in the final views of the island and its highest point Monte Torro and the northern coastline im sure it will take your breath away!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hi. Much better now, totally deserving of VH. Shona
Shoka 18.08.2006 10:58
Hi Richard
Sorry to be fussy. You have indeed written a really good informative piece, but you need to split it up into paragraphs that would allow for easier reading. Layout is just as important as content on that count. As I said I will definately update your score if you make this change. Leave me another message.
Thanks
Shona
RichardElse 18.08.2006 01:01
As shoka requested, I have updated the review and hope that it provides a much better insight into the airport than it did before. After working there for two years please dont hesitate to contact me and ask me further details should I have missed anything out.
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Air conditioned and with a surprising range of facilities for such a small place Disadvantages: Quite a way from the most popular resorts - Forcat and Bosch
Advantages: Air conditioned and with a surprising range of facilities for such a small place Disadvantages: Quite a way from the most popular resorts - Forcat and Bosch
very helpful by (10%):
helpful by (90%):
