Murcia’s new airport plans to ‘steal’ 3m passengers from Alicante
With the Paramount Pictures theme park a ‘go’, pressure is now on the Region of Murcia to guide its brand new International Airport to a swift and smooth completion. Taking shape in the small town of Corvera, just 20 minutes from the proposed Paramount Pictures site, the Airport hopes to ‘steal’ no less than three million passengers from El Altet Airport across the border in the neighbouring province of Alicante.
According to a study by the University of Murcia, 40% of passengers taking scheduled flights from Alicante’s El Altet are in fact from the Region of Murcia with many also coming from the province of Albacete. Based on these figures, Murcia’s Ministry of Development expects to be able to attract three of the ten million passengers currently using El Altet who would find Corvera to be much closer and more convenient.
Construction at Corvera Airport is coming on in leaps and bounds. More than 500 workers from 50 companies are working on a three-shift system throughout the day and night to achieve a timely delivery. Both the 27,000m² passenger terminal with its nine gates and the 32m control tower are structurally complete, whilst the runway and aircraft parking apron are nearing conclusion. Work is now concentrated on air-conditioning, soundproofing, security systems and wiring and plumbing of the passenger terminal. This month, the Minister for Public Works José Ballesta, said that works would be complete late 2011 and the Airport open “this time next year” following final Government approval to start operations.
Amidst this fanfare for the new airport at Corvera, there is however a knock-on effect for San Javier Airport on Murcia’s coastal highway. In March 2011, the President of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, Ramón Luis Valcárcel, confirmed that San Javier will close to civilian use when Corvera opens for business.
Passenger numbers at San Javier had dropped to 1.3 million in 2010 compared with 2 million in 2009 and Corvera is steadily luring the budget airline giants by offering concessions in airport taxes. Several operators such as Iberia and Spanair are already expressing strong interest. Furthermore, Corvera’s runway is 3,000m by 45m and capable of handling any kind of aircraft in comparison to San Javier’s increasingly inadequate 2,300m. The imminent closure of San Javier will particularly trouble visitors to resorts such as La Manga del Mar Menor who will have to swap a half-hour drive from San Javier for a 45 minute drive to Corvera.
However, it is all very good news for Mercers’ flagship resort of Camposol Golf close to the seaside town of Mazarron. For property owners at Camposol Golf, the new Corvera Airport is half the distance that San Javier was at 40km versus 80km. It will also please future visitors to the Paramount Pictures site, some 20 minutes from Camposol Golf, as driving time is slashed from 30 minutes from San Javier to 15 minutes from Corvera. Corvera will also become the first airport in Spain to be crossed by a high-speed rail link (AVE) and the third, after Barcelona and Madrid, to have a rail link at all – further opening up domestic and international travel opportunities.
For more information, spanishproperty.co.uk.
On the Market in Murcia:
NED64, Neptuno, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia
Well-maintained three bedroom detached Neptuno style villa of 86m² set on a plot of 290m² that has been modernised and redecorated by the current owners. The ground floor has two bedrooms, one en-suite, plus a further shower room, alongside a lounge with fireplace and kitchen fitted with white goods. Upstairs the third bedroom is also en-suite and has air-conditioning as well as French doors leading to the rooftop solarium with impressive mountain views. The villa is sold with furniture to include a large flatscreen TV connected to satellite channels. The garden is lovingly cared for and has both off-road parking and a swimming pool.
Price 159,000 euros (approx 140,500 GBP)
NED133, Neptuno, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia
Detached Neptuno deluxe villa of an incredible 233m² built area set on a large plot of 650m² complete with private 10m by 5m swimming pool. The three bedroom four bathroom home is located in an elevated position thus giving privileged views of the countryside and hills beyond. The property comes fully furnished with modern furniture and white goods as well as oil-fired central heating, an open fireplace, ceiling fans, security grills, fly screens and satellite TV. The driveway is protected with an electric gate whilst the garden has a handy irrigation system plus a barbecue area with plenty of seating for those summer pool parties. Finally there is a huge tiled underbuild ripe for putting to good use – it already has an extra bathroom, perfect for guests enjoying the al-fresco entertainment.
Price 189,995 euros (approx 168,000 GBP)
