Spain hatches audacious bid to take over Gibraltar airport in post-Brexit row

Britain has refused Spain’s demand to successfully take over Gibraltar airport. The demand, which British diplomats say will threaten Gibraltar’s sovereignty, has derailed post-Brexit talks designed to safe the abroad territory’s long-term future. Spanish officers declare the UK is quibbling over minor particulars.

Gibraltar International Airport is owned by the British Ministry of Defence and operated by the RAF.

Since Brexit, Gibraltar has been left in limbo, exterior the EU’s customs union and missing assured free motion of individuals.

But below a brief settlement, Spain has allowed free border passage for employees and vacationers to keep away from disruption.

Hopes had been excessive earlier this yr {that a} deal could possibly be reached to ascertain a standard journey space between Gibraltar and the EU’s Schengen zone, thereby decreasing the necessity for intensive border controls.

But now talks have stalled over Spain’s proposal to achieve jurisdiction over the airport.

Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, informed The Times: “‘The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate.”

The position of Spanish police inside Gibraltar is one other level of rivalry.

Talking about this challenge, Vice-Admiral Steel mentioned: “We have reached a formulation which might imply Frontex (the EU border company) would handle the border on behalf of the EU, overseen by Spanish officers.