Call for Expansion of Alicante Airport Amidst Record Passenger Growth
Friday, August 30th, 2024
Call for Expansion of Alicante Airport Amidst Record Passenger Growth
Joserra González de Zárate, the Infrastructure spokesperson for Spain’s Conservative Party, Partido Popular, has urged the Spanish Government to prioritise the expansion of Alicante Airport in response to the significant surge in international passenger numbers. A proposal under consideration is the construction of a second runway. González de Zárate criticised the government for its perceived lack of investment in the Valencian Community, stressing the need for improved infrastructure to support the region’s growth.
Alicante Airport has demonstrated a robust recovery post-pandemic, with passenger numbers soaring. In 2023, the airport handled 15.7 million passengers, marking a 4.6% increase compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic struck. The airport also achieved a milestone in July 2024, reaching 2 million passengers in a single month, the highest in its history and a 16.1% rise from July 2023. Between January and July 2024, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport welcomed a total of 10,330,799 passengers, reflecting a remarkable 17.6% increase from the same period in the previous year.
Despite some opposition to the idea of constructing a second runway, the airport operator, Aena, announced plans in May 2024 to begin the tender process for the extension of the airport terminal by the end of the year. This expansion is intended to increase the airport’s capacity, addressing future demands driven by rising passenger traffic.
Aena emphasises that the airport’s sustainable growth, both economically and environmentally, will continue to contribute positively to the region, fostering wealth creation and employment opportunities in the surrounding area.