Alicante Airport’s €1.1 Billion Expansion
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Alicante Airport Set for €1.1 Billion Expansion as Passenger Numbers Hit Record Highs
Record-breaking summer for Alicante Airport
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has marked the busiest August in its history, welcoming 2,098,522 passengers – a 6.9% increase compared with August 2024.
- International travel led the way, with nearly 1.9 million passengers, up 9.9%.
- The UK was the top market with over 714,000 travellers, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
- Domestic traffic was slightly lower, with 240,146 passengers, down 10.9%.
Flight activity also set a new record, with 12,593 operations handled in August, a rise of 5.4% year on year.
Between January and August 2025, Alicante Airport welcomed 13.4 million passengers, up 9.1% on the same period last year, with 83,833 flights operated (+9%).
€1.1 billion investment confirmed
Looking to the future, the Spanish government has announced a €1.154 billion investment for Alicante Airport as part of the 2027–2031 DORA III plan – the largest airport modernisation programme in Spain’s history.
The investment will focus on:
- A 30% expansion of the passenger terminal to ease congestion and improve comfort.
- A brand-new non-Schengen pier with boarding bridges for international travellers, especially from the UK.
- A new taxiway and rapid exit system to reduce delays and speed up aircraft movements.
- Modern security screening technology, allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronics in their bags.
- Improved access roads, car parks and landscaping for a smoother travel experience.
When complete, the airport will be able to handle up to 26 million passengers a year while aiming for net zero emissions by 2030.
A key gateway to the Costa Blanca
Already ranked among Europe’s best airports in its category, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport continues to grow as a vital hub for tourism on the Costa Blanca. The record-breaking passenger figures of 2025, combined with the upcoming expansion, promise more flight options, shorter waiting times and better facilities for millions of holidaymakers in the years ahead.