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Alicante Airport, officially known as Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, is located in the Costa Blanca area of Spain, about 9km southwest of the city of Alicante and 10km east of the city of Elche. It is one of the busiest airports in Spain, serving as the main airport for the Region of Murcia and the Province of Alicante. The airport is easily accessible by taxi, shuttle, bus, or private car, and offers a range of facilities for travellers, including restaurants, bars, shops, and a VIP lounge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport |
| Airport Code | ALC |
| Location | About 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest of the city of Alicante and about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) east of the city of Elche |
| Bus Services | Line "C6" connects Alicante city centre, passing through Alicante Bus Station, Port of Alicante and Alicante Railway Station. Line "1B" connects Elche city centre with stops in Playa El Altet and Arenales del Sol. Hourly bus services to Benidorm, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura and Murcia. |
| Taxi Services | Official airport taxi services are available. Uber and Cabify also operate at the airport. |
| Car Parking | Two parking lots with a total capacity of 1,500 spaces. |
| Terminals | Terminal NAT (Nueva Área Terminal) is the only terminal currently in public use. Terminals 1 and 2 have been closed since 2011 but remain structurally intact. |
| Airlines | Air Nostrum, EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Vueling, British Airways, Jet2.com and Wizz Air. |
| Passenger Traffic | 18.3 million passengers in 2024, making it the 5th busiest airport in Spain. |
| Facilities | Restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, VIP lounge, children's play area, ATMs, Bureau de Change, post office, shops, disabled access. |
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What You'll Learn
Location and transport links
Alicante Airport, officially known as Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, is located in the south-east of Spain, close to the Mediterranean Sea. The airport is situated about 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante and 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) east of the city of Elche. It is easily accessible by road, being close to the A7 motorway and other fast roads, including the N-325, N-330, N-332, and N-340.
Alicante Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain and the largest in the Valencian Community. It serves as the main airport for the Region of Murcia and the Province of Alicante, as well as the southern part of the Valencian Community. The airport is a base for several airlines, including Air Nostrum, EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, and Vueling, and handles a high volume of international flights.
In terms of transportation, Alicante Airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas. It can be conveniently reached by taxi, shuttle, bus, or private car. The airport is served by bus lines C6 and 1B, which connect to nearby cities and towns, including Alicante, Elche, Benidorm, Torrevieja, and Murcia. Bus stops are located on the departures roadway, making it easy for passengers to access the airport by public transport.
For those travelling by private car, there are two parking lots at the airport with a total capacity of 1,500 spaces, offering both long-term and short-term parking options. The airport can be easily accessed via the N-338 automobile road, and long-term parking is available for those who require it. Additionally, ride-hailing companies like Uber and Cabify have designated pickup areas at the airport for added convenience.
Alicante Airport also has a range of facilities to cater to different traveller needs. It features a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and fast food outlets. There is also a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, TV, comfortable seating, and catering services. The airport provides essential financial and communication services, including ATMs, a bureau de change, and a post office. Additionally, passengers with disabilities will find designated parking spaces, ramps, braille leaflets, adapted toilets, and other accessibility features.
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History and name changes
Alicante Airport, officially known as Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, is located on the eastern coast of Spain, in the Comunidad Valenciana area. It is about 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante and 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) east of the city of Elche. The airport is one of the busiest in south-eastern Spain, serving both the southern part of the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia.
The airport was originally known as El Altet when it first opened in Elche in 1967. It replaced the older aerodrome, La Rabassa, that had served Alicante since 1936. The first commercial flight that landed at the airport was a Convair Metropolitan by Aviaco. In November 1969, Iberia established regular connections to Madrid and Barcelona, becoming the leading airline at the airport until 2003.
In 2004, with the decline of conventional airlines, low-cost airline EasyJet took the lead at the airport. Two years later, in June 2006, Avianca commenced a weekly flight from Bogotá to Barcelona, with a stop in Alicante. This was the city's first transatlantic service.
In 2011, a new terminal area was opened, capable of handling nearly 6,000 passengers per hour and 20 million passengers per year. The new terminal building included a boarding dock, a car park building, new access roads, and an extended aircraft parking apron and taxiway. The new terminal replaced the previous two terminals, which have remained closed but structurally intact.
On 12 July 2013, the name of the airport was officially changed from Aeropuerto de Alicante to Aeropuerto de Alicante–Elche, honouring the city of Elche, within which the airport is located.
In 2021, the airport was renamed again to Aeropuerto de Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández, marking the 110th anniversary of the birth of Spanish poet and playwright Miguel Hernández.
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Terminals and facilities
Alicante Airport, officially known as Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest of the city of Alicante and about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) outside the city centre. It is one of the busiest airports in Spain, serving as a hub for low-cost airlines in Europe and accommodating over 18 million passengers in 2024.
The airport consists of three terminals: Terminal NAT (Nueva Área Terminal), Terminal T1, and Terminal T2. Terminal NAT, which opened in 2011, is the only terminal currently in public use, while Terminals T1 and T2 have been closed since 2011 but remain structurally intact. Terminal NAT has an area of 333,500 square meters, making it more than six times the size of the previous two terminals combined and enabling the airport to handle a larger volume of passengers.
The terminal building offers a range of facilities and services to meet the needs of travellers. These include:
- ATMs and currency exchange services located throughout the terminal, allowing convenient access to cash and money exchange.
- A variety of dining options, including bars, cafes, restaurants, a fast-food outlet, and an ice cream parlour. Most of these are located on the second floor in the departures area.
- Shopping options such as newsagents, tobacconists, delicatessens, clothing boutiques, gift shops, jewellery outlets, and electronics retailers.
- Three duty-free shops located after the security checkpoint for passengers departing the EU.
- Free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal, as well as internet kiosks equipped with mobile phone chargers.
- A VIP lounge offering internet access, refreshments, comfortable seating, catering, and a children's area for business-class travellers or pass purchasers.
- A pharmacy located in the terminal arrivals area, open from 9 am to 9 pm.
- Information desks and a 24-hour first aid service to assist travellers with any medical or informational needs.
- Tour operator desks and tourist information counters to provide travellers with guidance and assistance during their visit.
- A designated drop-off area and reserved parking spaces for disabled passengers, ensuring accessibility and convenience.
- Meeting rooms available for hire, suitable for business purposes or other gatherings.
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Airlines and passenger numbers
Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest of the city of Alicante and about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) east of the city of Elche in Spain. It is the fifth-largest airport in Spain and the busiest airport in south-eastern Spain. It serves both the southern part of the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia.
Alicante Airport is a hub for low-cost airlines in Europe. It is a base for Air Nostrum, EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, and Vueling. Ryanair is the largest airline at the airport in terms of the number of departures. In 2015, the airline carried 2,992,984 passengers, followed by EasyJet, which carried 1,285,221 passengers, and Vueling, which carried 1,093,494 passengers. Norwegian Air Shuttle carried 893,319 passengers, making it a distant fourth.
In 2011, Ryanair had 11 based aircraft, 62 routes, and had carried more than 3 million passengers. By 2021, it had become the fourth-largest base for Ryanair, a popular low-cost airline operator. In 2009, over 2 million passengers made use of their services, flying to areas such as Liverpool, Gothenburg, Birmingham, and London-Gatwick, among others.
In 2024, the airport saw 18.38 million passengers, an increase of 16.8% compared to 2023. The airport's operator, Aena, approved plans to construct a new terminal in 2004 to accommodate the airport's continuous passenger growth. The new terminal, Terminal NAT, opened in 2011 and is more than six times the size of the previous two terminals, with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year.
The airport handles mainly international flights, with up to 80% of all passenger flights being international. The largest numbers of passengers arrive from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Norway, and Sweden.
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Attractions nearby
Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is located about 9 km (5.6 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante in Spain. The airport is surrounded by fast roads, including the N-325, the N-330, the N-332, and the N-340, and is close to the A7 motorway.
- Old Quarter: Known locally as the Barrio de Santa Cruz or El Barrio, the Old Quarter is a prominent area full of historic attractions, shops, eateries, entertainment venues, and the city's main bus and train stations. It is also home to the cathedral and many lively night spots.
- Beaches: Alicante is known for its glorious golden beaches, lined with typical beachfront attractions, including hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
- Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ): A must-see attraction for history lovers, the MARQ is located inside a beautiful building that was once the hospital of San Juan de Dios. The museum showcases a wide variety of art and artifacts, including human remains like skulls and bones from thousands of years ago, providing insights into the region's history from prehistory to modern times.
- Castillo de Santa Barbara: A popular attraction in Alicante, with hotels located nearby.
- Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya: A popular destination in Alicante, with hotels in the surrounding area.
- Guadalest Valley: A scenic spot in Alicante, offering a range of accommodation options for visitors.
- MARQ Museo Arqueologico de Alicante: A museum in Alicante that attracts many visitors, and there are hotels nearby.
- Playa de San Juan: A well-known beach in Alicante, with hotels conveniently located close by.
- Barri Vell Santa Creu: A neighbourhood in Alicante that draws tourists, and there are hotels within easy reach.
- Platja del Postiguet: A beach in Alicante that is a tourist attraction, and there are hotels in the vicinity.
- Rambla Méndez Núñez: A prominent thoroughfare in Alicante, with hotels situated nearby.
Alicante is also a great base for exploring nearby attractions, such as Benidorm, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura, and Murcia, which are all easily accessible by hourly bus services.
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Frequently asked questions
Alicante Airport, also known as Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, is located about 9km (5.6 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante and about 10km (6.2 miles) east of the city of Elche.
Transportation options to and from the airport are plentiful. Taxis, shuttles, and buses are all available. The trip from the airport takes about 25 minutes in either direction.
There are two parking lots at the airport with a total capacity of 1,500 spaces. One lot is located just opposite the terminal building, and the other is adjacent to it. They offer both long and short-term parking rates.
Alicante Airport offers a variety of facilities, including international car rental desks, foreign exchange counters, tourism agency representatives, ATMs, a post office, and shops. There is also a VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, TV, comfortable seating, catering, and a children's area.
