Airports ready for big getaway

AIRLINE companies have scheduled 23'909 flights at 20 of Spain's airports most used by tourists. Of this total, 5'500 packed aircraft will be servicing the Balearic Islands during “Operation Getaway”, the summer holiday rush which begins today, 31 July and ends on 4th August. Sources from the Spanish Airports Authority (AENA) yesterday reported that the figures provided are provisional because there could be last minute adjustments to airline flight schedules. He went on to describe the typical travellers of this period as being families or holiday groups, carrying luggage and maximising the use of charter flights. Madrid's Barajas airport has the heaviest flight schedule with 5'333 take-offs and landings anticipated between Thursday morning and next Monday. Barcelona comes up behind with 4'051 flights followed by Palma de Mallorca with 3'420, Málaga with 1'722, Gran canaria with 1'306, Ibiza 1'255; Alicante 1'017; Tenerife Sur 935; Minorca 825; and Lanzarote 749. Additionally, at the airport on Tenerife Norte, 630 flights are scheduled; 556 in Valencia; 549 in Bilbao; 526 on Fuerteventura; 334 in Sevilla; 225 in Santiago; 140 in Asturias; 124 in Jerez; 120 in Vigo and 92 in A Coruña. Amongst special measures adopted by the Spanish Airports Authority during the summer months, in collaboration with the airlines, National Security Forces and Local Police, securiy is tightede in and around all airports.