IATA Code: ILD (non-IATA)
Address: 25125 Alguaire, CT, Spain
Distance from City: 15km
Terminal Plan: Here
Day Trip Possible: No
Passenger Numbers: N/A
Closest Alternative: Reus, Zaragoza
Overview: One of the newest airports anywhere with the opening in 2010, Lleida ostensibly serves the Catalonia region but by Ryanair standards is only a little further out from Barcelona than Reus and Girona. Undoubtedly this will pick up traffic thanks to the excellent facility plus discounts offered to airlines even if it is in the middle of Zaragoza and the Barcelona airports. It is rumoured that a new railway line will run through the airport, which will make it an extremely viable alternative.
Getting there: The airport is situated around 15km north of Lleida itself. There are bus services which stop at bus and train station which co-incide with the flight times and a 6 EUR return (7 on weekends), this is fairly good value. There is also a shuttle bus from Barcelona, but with this trip taking 2.5 hours and costing 35 EUR return, it’s hard to see the value of this (as all destinations are served from either Barcelona, Reus or Girona). Car hire and taxi are also available in the airport but may not be open outside of the operating flight hours.
General Tips: The airport really is of fantastic design. A small single story building with the control tower at the centre with the roof arching up to meet it – nothing else like it currently. The airport is extremely bright inside and has a high standard of finish, with free wifi – we hope this sets a trend for the future. Unfortunately there is not much in the way as shops – there is a bar/restaurant but little else apart from vending machines. Adequate seating is available throughout the airport. Unlikely to be many queues for passport control or luggage at this stage yet. Departures area is fairly small and some good scheduling will be needed to maximise passenger numbers here.
Budget Travellers Guide: The airport is only served from Milan Bergamo and Hahn but if you can connect from here you are likely to pick up a good deal; much like Ciudad Real you would guess that that the airlines are well subsidised here, allowing discounts to be made. With a trip to Lledia priced pretty cheaply, this offers good value. On the downside, connections are really limited here. Vueling offer Palma and Paris Charles de Gaulle, with Iberia offering Ibiza and Menorca, but no other international routes available.
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