Alicante Airport Delays: What You Need To Know

Alicante–Elche Airport is an international airport in Spain, located around 9km southwest of Alicante's downtown area. The airport has just one terminal, making it easy to navigate. While the airport receives positive reviews for its architecture, check-in process, security check, and terminal facilities, some travellers have noted issues with the Wi-Fi connection and food and retail services. In terms of delays, one source indicates that there are currently very low delays at the airport, which are increasing. However, historical data from another source shows that out of 8777 tracked flights, 11 were delayed by more than 3 hours, and 13 were cancelled.

Delayed and cancelled flights

As with any airport, delays and cancellations can occur at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport. While it is currently unclear whether there are any delays or cancellations at the airport, it is always good to be prepared.

In the case of a delayed or cancelled flight, it is important to know your rights as a passenger. If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, you may be entitled to compensation. It is also important to be aware of the Minimum Connection Time (MCT) at the airport, especially if you have a connecting flight. At Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport, the MCT is 30 minutes for domestic flights, and 45 minutes for international flights.

To avoid any delays or issues, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. For domestic and Schengen flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure. For non-Schengen flights, it is recommended to arrive 3 hours in advance. Additionally, passengers should factor in time for security control, passport control, check-in, and luggage drop-off.

If you find yourself facing a long layover or delay at the airport, there are several facilities available to make your wait more comfortable. The airport offers a VIP lounge with amenities such as food and beverages, WiFi, relaxation spaces, and showers. The lounge is open from 6:00 am to 12:00 am during the summer months and from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm during the winter. Additionally, there are a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops available at the airport to help pass the time.

Transport to and from the airport

Transport to and from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport

There are several transport options for getting to and from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport.

The bus is a convenient and affordable option. The C6 bus connects the airport to the city centre of Alicante, with a travel time of approximately 20 minutes and a fare of 4.50 euros. The bus operates daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. There is also the Line 1A bus, which travels to the city centre of Elche in about 50 minutes.

For those seeking a more comfortable option, there are private transfer services available, such as Beniconnect, which offers shared shuttle transfers and private services throughout the Costa Blanca. These services provide a more personalised experience and can be convenient for larger groups or families.

If you prefer a more flexible option, you can opt for a taxi. The taxi stand is located in front of the terminal, and the ride to the city centre of Alicante takes approximately 20 minutes with an estimated fare of 20 euros.

Additionally, the tram provides another travel alternative. The Route L1 tram travels to Benidorm, with a travel time of about 70 minutes and a starting ticket price of 1.35 euros for a single adult ticket.

Where to eat and drink

There are plenty of options for food and drink at Alicante Airport, both before and after security. If you're looking for a coffee before your flight, head to Caffriccio or Costa Coffee, which are located in the public areas of the airport. If you want something to eat, you can also find a Tim Hortons in the public departures area, which serves coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods.

After security, you'll find a wide range of options, including bars, restaurants, and fast-food stores. For coffee lovers, there's Starbucks. If you're a chocoholic, Valor is the place for you, serving hot chocolate and churros. You can also get your ice cream fix at Farggi, or opt for a Carlsberg pub.

One of the most popular restaurants in the airport is La Pausa, which offers high-quality, freshly prepared Spanish cuisine, including grilled meats and fish. The food is prepared right in front of you, and there's also a buffet section with hot and cold dishes and regional specialties. However, it is expensive, and food prices in the airport are generally high. If you're on a budget, consider bringing your own food or using the self-service Air Food Court, which offers sandwiches and snacks at a lower cost.

If you're travelling with family and need a quick bite, Burger King and Subway are good options. For a more sit-down meal, there's a gastrobar with modern tapas by Quique Dacosta, a two-Michelin-starred chef.

Hotels near the airport

If you're looking for hotels near Alicante Airport, there are several options to choose from. Here are some detailed descriptions of hotels located just a short distance from the airport:

Hotel Areca

Hotel Areca is located in Torrellano, just 1.4 miles from Alicante Airport. It offers a free spa with a pool, and Alicante city centre is only a 20-minute drive away. This hotel is easily accessible from the airport by taxi or bus, with a journey time of around 5 to 10 minutes.

Hostal Meseguer

Hostal Meseguer is a small hotel conveniently located in the village of El Altet, next to Alicante Airport. It offers good-value accommodation with free Wi-Fi and is a perfect choice for a short stay due to its proximity to the airport.

Apartamento a 5 minutos del aeropuerto de Alicante

This apartment is situated in Torrellano, 1.3 miles from Alicante Airport. It's a great choice if you're looking for accommodations close to the airport and offers easy access to attractions such as Alicante Golf Club and Explanada de España.

Brisas and Coral Apartments

Both Brisas and Coral are air-conditioned apartments located in El Alted, just 1.4 miles from Alicante Airport. These accommodations provide a comfortable stay with access to nearby attractions such as El Altet Beach and Playa del Saladar.

Hotel AG Express Elche

Hotel AG Express Elche is a convenient option if you're looking for accommodations near the airport. While it's located on the opposite side of the motorway, it's still only a 20-km drive from the airport. This hotel offers a great overnight stay experience with easy access to and from Alicante Airport.

In addition to these options, there are several other hotels and accommodations near Alicante Airport, including Hostal Restaurante La Posada, Hostal Durá, Hotel Doña Isabel, and Hostal El Altet. These hotels are all located in Torrellano and can be easily reached from the airport by taxi or bus, with journey times under 10 minutes.

Disability assistance

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is fully compliant with EU regulations when providing services for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility. The airport also offers free special assistance where required.

Who is eligible for disability assistance?

Passengers who are experiencing a permanent or temporary limitation in mobility, or other disabilities that would make it difficult to navigate the airport and board the plane unaided. If you are unsure whether you will need assistance, consider the fact that you will have to walk a fair distance through the airport's long corridors. Therefore, if you have walking difficulties, you may find it easier to use an airport transporter or wheelchair, which can be arranged by your airline in advance.

How to request disability assistance

If you need disability assistance, it is important to inform your airline as soon as possible – ideally at the time of booking and a minimum of 48 hours before your scheduled flight. Additionally, you can contact Alicante Airport directly. When booking online, at the end of the booking process, you will find a section or button called something like "passenger assistance/special needs/access requirements". Clicking on this will allow you to give details of the assistance needed. It is essential to give clear information about your needs to ensure that things run smoothly during your journey.

You can also contact AENA’s telephone helpline on (+34) 913 211 000, which is open 24 hours a day. For people with hearing loss and/or a speech impairment, AENA operates a special information and customer service line that is available from 7 am to 12 midnight every day.

There are several meeting points where you can be picked up by the Sin Barreras team, which are easy to recognise due to the "Sin Barreras" signage. Each meeting point is equipped with an intercom system that you can use to contact the team. Remember that you must book the service at least 48 hours in advance. The different meeting points are well distributed around the airport:

• Outside the airport terminal: Car park, North Lobby, South Lobby, Level 0 (Arrivals, outside terminal building), Level 2 (Bus stop outside the airport terminal, Departures, outside the airport terminal)
• Inside the airport terminal: Level 0 (PRM information office, baggage reclaim), Level 2 (Billing office PRM, Information office PRM shipments, Security checkpoint (public area))

Assistance provided by the airport’s reduced mobility team

Depending on your individual needs, the following services can be provided:

• Meet and accompany the passenger to and from the meeting point
• Help with hand luggage
• Take the passenger to the check-in desk and assist
• Accompany the passenger through the security check-point and customs
• Assist with boarding and disembarking

Provisions for people with hidden disabilities

Alicante Airport has provisions in place for people with hidden disabilities, including conditions like ASD, anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. Passengers with this type of disability may be physically fit to navigate the airport without the need for assistance but might find the busy environment difficult to cope with. For this purpose, the airport operator has devised an "invisible disabilities badge", which lets staff know that the passenger may need some additional support or time, without the need for further explanations. The badge can be requested via the AENA website and is single-use, only valid on the date of your flight and at the specific airport. Please note that the badge does not entitle you to use the Sin Barreras service; if this service is needed, it must be requested separately.

A sensory room is available for passengers with sensory processing disorders, equipped with a variety of sensory stimuli to provide a relaxing and safe space away from the hectic airport environment. The room is located close to the boarding area; please speak to the Sin Barreras Team at Alicante Airport to gain access.

Frequently asked questions