MALAGA Airport is set for a €1.5 billion expansion as Spain’s airport operator warns the Costa del Sol hub is fast approaching its passenger capacity.

AENA president Maurici Lucena said the project would increase the airport’s annual capacity from 30 million to 36 million passengers between 2027 and 2031.

The announcement comes after Malaga Airport recorded a sharp 6.7% rise in passenger numbers and a 4.5% increase in flights in June alone, according to Malaga Hoy.

Speaking to El Conciso, Lucena said Spain was on course to become ‘the fifth or sixth country [in the world] for air traffic’ by 2055, adding that major airport expansions would be needed nationwide to keep pace with demand.

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At Malaga, the project will more than double the size of the security screening area, while passport control facilities in the departures area will expand by 515%, according to Malaga Hoy.

The growing number of passengers will also require the terminal to be enlarged, including the construction of a new wing dedicated to non-Schengen travellers.

Outside the terminal, plans include improving road access to the airport and expanding parking facilities to cope with rising demand.

Lucena added AENA was capable of keeping airports fully operational while carrying out major construction work, with several airports across Spain and Andalucia also earmarked for upgrades.

Airports such as Sevilla have also recently undergone expansion as Andalucia continues to attract record numbers of visitors.

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