If you're looking for the perfect holiday in Spain, consider the Costa Blanca area. The best way to arrive in the southern part of the Costa Blanca is by flying into the Murcia-San Javier Airport.

The airport is considered the gateway to one of the most beautiful regions in Spain, La Manga del Mar Menor. With near perfect weather, beautiful beaches and world-class water sports, it is no wonder the area is a favorite of international travelers. The Murcia-San Javier Airport makes it easy to get to La Manga.

Murcia-San Javier Airport is a civilian airport and military air base located 17 miles south of Murcia in the town of San Javier. The airport is operated by the Spanish airport authority, formally known as Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea (AENA).

The airport is equipped to receive planes as large as a Boeing 757 or 767. Increased tourism and an influx of economy airlines flying into the airport have caused a tremendous jump in traffic. According to AENA, passenger numbers skyrocketed from 88,608 in 1995 to nearly 850,000 in 2004. More than 1.6 million passengers used the Murcia-San Javier Airport in 2006.

The history of the airport is as rich as the beautiful region that surrounds it. The Spanish navy obtained a large portion of land near the Mar Menor and Santiago de la Ribera in the early 1920s. The outstanding climate and ideal location near the Mediterranean Sea prompted the navy to develop an air station in the last few years of that decade. Construction began in 1928. Early projects included a hydrogen factory, small port, wells, tanks, hangars and warehouses.

In 1963, the Spanish Air Ministry was formally asked to open the Murcia-San Javier airport to commercial traffic. The request was granted, but it only allowed the airport to accept civilian flights when they did not coincide with military flights. The commercial traffic required a number of special features that the airport did not have, so upgrades were made. On July 20, 1964, the airport officially opened to the public. By May 1967, the airport was accepting both domestic and international civilian flights.

More upgrades were made to the airport in the early 1990s, making it able to handle four flights simultaneously. In 2004, the passenger terminal was enlarged to provide an additional 1,100 square meters of space for arrivals. The airport also features a gift shop and a food mart for passengers' convenience.

Unfortunately, ground connections to and from the Murcia-San Javier Airport are rather limited. The availability and quality of public transportation, such as buses and trains, are not consistent across Spain. However, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to your destination. You also can easily catch a taxi at any hour of the day or night to get you where you need to go.

The Costa Blanca, with its beautiful weather and many options for fun in the sun, entices many to visit or permanently relocate. Whether travelers arrive for business or for pleasure, the Murcia-San Javier Airport is the ideal point of entry to Spain's beautiful coastline.