The popular Airport Malaga-Costa del Sol currently ranks fourth in terms of traffic volume among Spanish airports.
It was only 15 years ago that it underwent a major expansion. A second runway was created, the brand-new Terminal 3 opened, with the spacious plaza at the front with its interchanger and a new commuter train station, featuring the same diaphanous design.
The continued growth of Malaga Airport in numbers
To give you an idea of the airport’s incredible growth since then, and therefore the ever-increasing popularity of Malaga and the Costa del Sol:
- In 2015, nearly 14.5 million passengers passed through its facilities, more than 12 million of whom were on international flights.
- By 2024, the airport reached nearly 25 million passengers and 175,000 flights. This trend continues to grow and will be surpassed again this year. With such continued upward projections, the most important gateway airport to Andalusia is beginning to feel too small.
This is especially noticeable during the busy peak season months. Security checkpoints and passport controls for non-Schengen travelers in particular are overcrowded, with long lines.
The capacity limit for Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is 30 million passengers.
Due to this significant increase in air traffic at the airport, the government has just approved an expansion project with an investment of €1.5 billion. When completed, the airport’s capacity will be 36 million passengers per year.
Main actions
Future works are focused on addressing future traffic growth and improving the experience for passengers and airlines at Malaga airport.
With this project, the terminal’s surface area will practically double. Its current area of 80,000 square meters will increase to 140,000 square meters.
The plans call for a U-shaped terminal, which will cross the current road and approach the airport’s second runway.
Plan of the remodeling at Malaga airport
- Some buildings and docks will also be demolished, and Terminal 2 will be renovated.
- Construction of a new dam for non-Schengen traffic with centralized border control
- Increase in the area allocated for security control
- Redesign of the baggage handling system
- Increase in retail space by 41%
- New taxiways will also be built on the airfield.
- And, outside, the landscaping and access will be improved, as well as the parking capacity.
New northern access to Malaga Airport
The government is also currently drafting a project to build a northern access to the airport from the A-7 motorway.
This will greatly ease congestion in the near future, which carries considerable traffic volumes during peak season.
Malaga Airport currently has only one southern access via the MA-21 motorway.
Busy years ahead
So, as soon as the project bidding process is over, we’re looking forward to a few very busy years of construction work, both inside and outside the airport.
As always, we’ll be happy to keep you updated!
