Airports In Spain: The Major Hubs

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and its airports are a testament to that. The largest airport in the country in terms of passenger numbers is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), which is located about 12 km northeast of Madrid and serves as the primary international gateway to the capital city. Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is Spain's second busiest airport, located just outside Barcelona. It serves as a key hub for Vueling and is a primary airport for international flights to and from Catalonia. Other major airports in Spain include Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), Valencia Airport (VLC), Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC), and Seville Airport (SVQ).

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport

The airport has a long history, dating back to 1931, with its official opening in April 1933, although its commercial use did not begin until 1933. In 2014, the airport was renamed from Madrid–Barajas Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in honour of Adolfo Suárez, the first democratically elected Spanish prime minister.

The airport offers a wide range of services and facilities for travellers, including children's areas, coffee shops, restaurants, pharmacies, a chapel, post offices, banks, car rentals, bookstores, kiosks, shops, parking, emergency areas, medical services, and a police station. It also has a permanent space dedicated to exhibiting artistic works, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Additionally, the airport organises guided visits, including technical visits for educational institutions and free educational visits for schools and cultural centres.

Valencia Airport

In terms of passenger numbers, the largest airport in Spain is Adolfo Suárez Airport in Madrid-Barajas, followed by Barcelona's international airport "El Prat". The airports on the Spanish islands, such as Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife, are also well-known and busy, serving many tourists during peak travel periods in the summer.

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport

The history of the airport dates back to 1916 when Barcelona's first airfield, located at El Remolar, commenced operations. However, due to limited expansion prospects, a new airport was established at El Prat in 1918. Scheduled commercial services began in 1927 with Iberia's first route to Madrid Cuatro Vientos Airport. During the Second Spanish Republic, El Prat served as one of the bases for Líneas Aéreas Postales Españolas (LAPE). The airport faced a period of stagnation in traffic and investments from the late 1970s to the early 1990s until Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics, which spurred significant development. This included the modernisation and expansion of the existing terminal (renamed Terminal B) and the construction of two new terminals (Terminals A and C).

Barcelona-El Prat Airport is conveniently located just 17 kilometres from the Port of Barcelona and offers exclusive services for cruise passengers. These services include separate check-in counters, joint port-airport check-in for certain cruises, and luggage transportation between the airport and the port. The airport, in collaboration with the Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (BARDC), is working to increase the number of intercontinental routes available. Currently, the airport serves over 200 destinations worldwide.

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport, also known by its IATA code AGP and ICAO code LEMG, is the fourth busiest airport in Spain. It is located just 8km from Malaga City centre and serves as the main airport for all resorts on the Costa del Sol. The airport is 5km north of Torremolinos, 15 minutes from Benalmadena, 20 minutes from Fuengirola, 25 minutes from Calahonda, 30 minutes from Marbella, 40 minutes from Puerto Banus, and an hour from Estepona. It is also a great option for those looking to visit Malaga City.

Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport is significant for Spanish tourism, serving as the main international airport for the Costa del Sol. It offers connections to over 40 countries worldwide, with more than 14.4 million passengers passing through in 2015. This number increased to 22.4 million in 2023. The airport operates with three terminals and two runways, with all terminals functioning under one roof. Transitioning between terminals is easy, and the airport offers a wide variety of international destinations. It is connected to twenty cities in Spain and over one hundred cities in Europe.

The airport has a range of transport options, including a suburban railway station with access to Malaga, and various parking options for different needs, including short-term, long-term, and off-site parking. The new terminal building, designed by Bruce S. Fairbanks, was constructed to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and to boost tourism around the Costa del Sol. It is adjacent to Terminal 2 and is more than double its size, with 86 check-in counters, 20 new boarding gates, and 12 baggage reclaim carousels. The terminal has significantly increased the airport's capacity, enabling it to handle up to 30 million passengers or 9,000 per hour.

Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport provides a book exchange point located in the transit area towards Pier B, where passengers can contribute books and enjoy reading. It also offers essential facilities and services to ensure a smooth travel experience for its passengers.

Alicante–Elche Airport

The airport is a base for several airlines, including Air Nostrum, EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, and Vueling. In 2024, the airport handled 18.3 million passengers, with up to 80% of all passenger flights being international. The largest numbers of passengers arrive from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Norway, and Sweden.

In 2011, a new terminal, Terminal NAT (Nueva Área Terminal), was opened, replacing the previous two terminals. This terminal has an area of 333,500 square meters (3,590,000 sq ft), more than six times the size of the previous terminals. The airport has been recognised for its excellence, receiving the Best Airport in Europe award in the category of facilities for between 15 and 25 million passengers from the Airports Council International (ACI).

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