PIREPs by To

Experience from 2023:

PPR for parking stands is easy by email—no spontaneous arrivals. Refueling with BP-Card was straightforward. Fees for 2 nights, all-in, 139€ for an SR20. Ground handling was limited to the bus transfer (and a nice crew restroom, as my wife points out). But they were at a loss with chocks. Taxi to the old town 25€.

Report from 2023: Top performance for GA at a major city airport. Handling via valencia@generalaviation.es highly recommended—super friendly staff, excellent English. In particular, the slot coordination (we had to replan at least half a dozen times due to weather) was first-class. We parked on R4; as soon as we vacated the runway, the handling bus was already at the stand. The AVGAS tanker arrived two minutes later. You can pay directly with a BP-Card here. Crew lounge is smart, with a fully stocked fridge—help yourself on arrival. €322 for three nights with an SR20. Taxi to the old town €30. All in all, great value for money.

Visited in September for four days (three nights) and had only the very best experience. IFR approach with a procedure turn in mountainous terrain—that’s fun. Forewarned by another PIREP, I asked for a handling quote. The invoice came to 271,28€, of which 100€ was handling—thus 1,50€ below the quote for an SR22 with 1.550kg MTOW.

Handling (Universal Aviation)—one might wonder what for—but in the end everything runs extremely smoothly and lightning fast. While we were being marshalled in, the AVGAS truck was already rolling up. While refueling, the handler moved the baggage. Fuel is paid directly at the truck (2,71€/l), and shortly after you’re in the GAT building. The taxi driver was already waiting. The return, three overnights later: same experience. Walked into the GAT, called the handling agent, he showed up two minutes later, Security, and you’re at your aircraft. I’d say 10min from entering the GAT to arriving at the aircraft. Without small talk and a WC stop you could have done it in 5 minutes. You can save the 100€ for handling if, like Tina, you organize everything yourself—fine for those who enjoy that.

LEGR is, in our experience, a strong recommendation; same for Universal Aviation. And price-wise, for such a tourist airport, absolutely reasonable.

In Pamplona you have to reserve parking. No handling required. Parking is in the farthest corner of the apron. But there are tie-down points there, and with the thunderstorm front that came through (30C in the evening, then 10C in the morning) they were more than necessary. At least you sleep better when wind and rain are lashing outside. After landing nobody looked after us anymore. Only when we wanted to walk from the aircraft to the terminal did the Guardia Civile jump out of a dark corner. No hi-vis vest, wrong route, ... Then, thanks to loud instructions shouted across the apron, we were directed onto the correct path. And we were outside in no time. So yes, it was quick :-)

The return was a bit more exciting. You have to manage to get to the office area above Security. But if, in a yellow AOPA vest, you just talk to people at random, you draw enough attention that a few minutes later you’re handed an invoice for 71€ for an SR22 (three days / two nights). For that price I don’t mind being yelled at.