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2 clusters · 20 sources · 1 days · First seen 21 days ago · Last updated 20 days ago

Alicante-Elche Airport expansion plans

Overview

The Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is undergoing capacity improvements following significant passenger growth. While the Generalitat Valenciana has advocated for a second runway to compete with other major hubs, the Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has rejected that proposal, stating it ‘does not make sense’ at this time.

Instead, the government and Aena are prioritizing terminal expansion, improving taxiways, and adding more boarding bridges to accommodate non-Schengen flights. This strategy aims to increase the airport's capacity to 26 million passengers annually. These efforts are part of a broader 13 billion euro investment plan across Spanish airports scheduled between 2027 and 2030.

Recent data shows the airport reached a record 19.9 million passengers in 2025, an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Amid these developments, Minister Puente addressed tensions with Ryanair, accusing the airline of ‘disguising its problems’ regarding aircraft shortages by pressuring the government for lower airport fees. He suggested that Ryanair’s shift of capacity from regional airports to larger hubs like Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat is driven by route profitability rather than tariff costs.

Entities

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport · Aena · Empuriabrava · Ryanair · Castelló d’Empúries

Timeline

20 days ago

[BUSINESS] 12 sources
Alicante-Elche Airport: Minister rejects second runway plans
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente rejects a second runway for Alicante-Elche Airport, prioritizing terminal expansion instead, while also addressing Ryanair's fee disputes and potential tourist taxes.
21 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
Alicante Airport to expand terminal as Costa Daurada leaders seek flood prevention
Alicante-Elche Airport will expand its terminal capacity instead of building a second runway, while Costa Daurada mayors demand railway reforms to prevent recurring flooding.

Sources

alicanteplaza.es · alicantextra.com · ara.cat · beteve.cat · diariodecadiz.es · diariodejerez.es · diariodesevilla.es · eixdiari.cat · eldiadecordoba.es · ettv.com.tw · europasur.es · granadahoy.com · laciutat.cat · larazon.es · lavanguardia.com · malagahoy.es · merca2.es · theleader.info · valenciaextra.com · vivirenelche.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history