Spain’s Costa Blanca remains a top destination for British holidaymakers, but it seems that the influx of visitors is putting the airport’s infrastructure under serious strain
Alicante-Elche Airport has smashed its November passenger record with a huge 19.6% rise, and nearly a third of those travellers are Brits.
Spain’s Costa Blanca remains a top destination for British holidaymakers, but it seems that the influx of visitors is putting the airport’s infrastructure under serious strain. Last month, a staggering 1.28 million passengers passed through the airport, with international travellers making up the majority according to the Olive Press .
Over 1 million of those were from abroad, with the UK leading the way. A whopping 421,321 Brits made the journey to the sun-kissed shores of Alicante-Elche, while the Netherlands and Germany followed with much smaller numbers – 85,096 and 75,105, respectively.
But while Brits continue to pour into Spain, there’s a glaring issue that the Spanish government seems to be overlooking. The airport is bursting at the seams, and though the Valencian government has pushed for a second runway to ease the pressure, the national government has only approved an expansion of the existing terminal. It’s a short-term fix that doesn’t address the real need for more capacity.
November wasn’t just a record month for passenger numbers – the airport also saw 8,566 flights, a 23% increase compared to the previous year. So far this year, Alicante-Elche has welcomed over 17 million passengers, already surpassing the full-year record for 2023. With flight numbers up by 15.5% for the first 11 months of 2024, it’s clear that the demand for travel to the region is showing no signs of slowing down.
While the airport’s expansion plans are moving forward, a larger terminal alone won’t be enough to keep up with the soaring numbers. The issue isn’t just about space in the terminal, either – it’s about runway capacity, parking, and ground services, which are all starting to reach their limits. If these issues aren’t addressed soon, the airport could face serious congestion, particularly during peak seasons.
Meanwhile, the dream of a direct transatlantic flight from Alicante-Elche to New York is gaining traction. If realised, it could help boost the airport’s global profile, but unless major infrastructure upgrades are made, it might struggle to cope with such an expansion.
As British tourists continue to flock to Spain in record numbers, one thing is clear: Alicante-Elche’s current infrastructure is already struggling to keep up.
