Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory and headland located on Spain's south coast at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, near the exit of the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean, dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426 metres - high limestone ridge is paving the way for an agreement with Spain for an open border and with a Spanish presence controlling the Gibraltarian air terminal.
Gibraltar being part of the United Kingdom left the European Union along with Great Britain in January 2020, although Gibraltarians have voted overwhelming to remain in the European Community in the 2026 UK referendum on EU membership.
On 11th June 2025, Gibraltar, the UK and Spain announced an agreement focuses on the core aspect of a future formal treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom in respect of the British overseas territory.
The main objective of the agreement is to secure the future prosperity of whole region, this will be done by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Gibraltar and Spain, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
In the area of persons, the parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schenghen border checks and Gibraltar port and airport. The full cooperation between Gibraltar as part of the UK and the European Union authorities will remove all checks at the crossing point between La Línea de la Concepción, Spain and Gibraltar.
For the EU, Spain border guards will carry out full Schenghen checks while for the UK, full Gibraltar checks will continue in their current form.
Maintaining the fluidity of people's movements across the border is of utmost importance for the British overseas territory. Some 14.400 EU citizens work in Gibraltar, including over 9.000 Spaniards, who commute daily from the border of La Línea de la Concepción, Spanish municipality in the province of Cadiz, a number that represents over half of Gibraltar's workforce.
Better fluidity will also radically transform air travel to Gibraltar. Spain is now looking at developing its own passenger terminal at Gibraltar airport. It follows proposals to create a cross - border transport hub serving more than 120.000 residents.
According to a memorandum drafted by the La Línea de la Concepción city hall this month, the disappearance of border controls between Spain and Gibraltar will create a unique opportunity to transform the airport of the British overseas territory into a fully integrated facility serving both sides generating numerous advantages.
Establishing a Spanish presence at Gibraltar's airport would enable commercial air routes to and from Spanish territory, an operation which will enhance regional connectivity and the La Línea de la Concepción's economy will strengthen through increased airport - related services and activities.
The agreement is vital for Gibraltar tourism. According to data from various Gibraltar authorities and institutions, the British overseas territory received in 2023 over 9.3 million visitors and is actively promoting itself as a destination with a mix of natural attractions, historical sites, and cultural events including concerts, festivals, and sports competitons, throughout the year.
Currently Gibraltar airport has only flights to the UK with two daily flights operated by British Airways to London Heathrow, EasyJet flies daily to London Gatwick and Manchester and has 3 weekly flights to Bristol and 2 weekly flights to Birmingham.
An overwhelming share came by land over the border, 8.79 million equivalent to 94.5% of all arrivals and by comparison Gibraltar airport welcomed in the same year a mere 235.000 passengers while cruise passengers topped 272.000 and this initiative will enhance more air traffic and increase tourist arrivals to the British Overseas Territory.
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