Aena Confirms €868M Investment for Alicante Airport Expansion

Spanish airport operator Aena (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea) has confirmed a significant investment of €868 million for the expansion of Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) over the next five years. The project is designed to increase capacity and modernize facilities at the Costa Blanca gateway, which has experienced record-breaking passenger traffic. The investment is a key component of Spain's upcoming airport regulatory plan and addresses the growing demand from both tourism and international travel.

The capital infusion is part of a larger, long-term development strategy for the airport, with a total package valued at €1.154 billion extending to 2036. This funding will be deployed across two regulatory periods. The first phase, corresponding to the DORA 3 (Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria) plan from 2027 to 2031, will see an allocation of €453 million. A subsequent €701 million is earmarked for the DORA 4 period, running from 2032 to 2036. This structured investment underscores a strategic, decade-long commitment to enhancing one of Spain's most critical tourism hubs.

Driving Factors: Record Traffic and Post-Brexit Realities

The expansion is a direct response to sustained passenger growth at Alicante. According to Aena statistics, the airport handled a record 19,950,394 passengers in 2025, solidifying its position as the fifth busiest airport in Spain. Projections indicate that traffic could climb to 22.3 million passengers within the next five years, putting pressure on existing infrastructure. The ultimate goal of the expansion is to increase the airport's annual capacity to at least 26 million passengers.

Approximately half of the initial €868 million investment is dedicated to physically expanding the main terminal building by nearly 30%. The remainder will be used for comprehensive upgrades to landside and airside infrastructure, including access roads, parking facilities, and aircraft operational areas. A key component of the airside improvements involves upgrading taxiways to optimize aircraft ground movements, which is expected to reduce runway waiting times and associated emissions.

A major focus of the terminal project is the construction of a new non-Schengen boarding area. This facility is critical for processing travelers from outside the European Union's free-movement zone, particularly from the United Kingdom. British travelers constitute the largest international market for Alicante, with over 6.5 million passengers in 2025. The new area will streamline passport control and security procedures required post-Brexit and prepare the airport for new EU systems like the Entry/Exit System (EES).

Modernization and Industry Conflict

The project also includes significant technological upgrades. A new security control area will be equipped with modern CT scanners, which will allow passengers to leave liquids and large electronics inside their hand luggage. This move aligns with a broader European trend to improve security efficiency and enhance the passenger experience.

To help finance this ambitious program, Aena has proposed an average annual fee increase of €0.35 per passenger at Alicante. This proposal has sparked criticism from airlines, most notably from low-cost carrier Ryanair. The airline's CEO, Eddie Wilson, has publicly condemned the proposed fee hikes across Spain as "excessive profiteering," warning they could negatively impact Spanish tourism. Wilson stated that Aena has a history of applying high charges "at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain's regional airports." This conflict highlights the persistent tension between airport operators seeking to fund necessary infrastructure and airlines focused on maintaining low operational costs.

The investment at Alicante is part of the largest investment plan undertaken by Aena in two decades, with nearly €13 billion allocated for all Spanish airports from 2027-2031. This nationwide initiative is intended to prevent overcrowding and modernize facilities to support the country's robust tourism sector, which saw a record 321.6 million passengers in 2025.

Why This Matters

This €868 million investment is more than a simple infrastructure upgrade; it represents a strategic move by Spain to secure its position as a top global tourist destination. The project directly addresses the dual pressures of record passenger demand and the new geopolitical reality of post-Brexit travel. For airlines and passengers, the expansion promises increased capacity and a more modern travel experience, but it also raises important questions about how such large-scale developments are funded and whether the costs will ultimately be passed on to travelers.

For global airline trends and commercial aviation news, turn to flying.flights. From aircraft production to supply chains, commercial aviation manufacturing news is covered at flying.flights/manufacturing.