Junta De Andalucia Calls For Major Expansion Of Almeria Airport

Andalucia’s location authorities is urging Madrid and Aena to prioritise Almeria Airport successful Spain’s adjacent five-year infrastructure scheme – arguing that nan province’s economical early depends connected it.

A plea for investment

The Junta de Andalucia has formally requested backing to grow and modernise Almeria Airport nether nan upcoming DORA III plan, which will guideline nationalist airdrome investments from 2027 to 2031. The delegate for nan location Department of Development, Infrastructure and Transport (Fomento), Dolores Martínez, said nan airdrome needs “a terminal redesign, a runway adapted to modern standards, and much seasonal capacity” to meet increasing rider demand.

The connection comes arsenic Aena prepares to put a grounds €12.9 cardinal crossed Spain’s airports – astir of it channelled toward ample hubs specified arsenic Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga. The Junta fears that smaller airports could again beryllium overlooked, contempt Almeria’s steadily recovering postulation and strategical worth for some tourism and agriculture.

Growth held backmost by size

Passenger numbers astatine Almeria reached astir 787,000 successful 2024, still awkward of nan pre-pandemic grounds but connected way to emergence further arsenic airlines adhd caller UK routes for wintertime 2025–26. While nan runway and terminal tin grip existent operations, section authorities opportunity nan accommodation strain nether peak-summer pressure. 

The Junta’s scheme besides revives a long-standing ambition to create air-cargo capacity for Almeria’s immense greenhouse industry. Yet freight volumes stay minimal – little than 50 tonnes a twelvemonth – and astir nutrient still travels by roadworthy aliases sea. Analysts pass that air-cargo viability would dangle connected costly cold-chain infrastructure and accordant export demand.

Connectivity and competition

Officials are besides lobbying for nan Almeria–Madrid way to beryllium declared a nationalist work responsibility (PSO) until nan high-speed obstruction statement is completed – a safeguard that would guarantee minimum flights and unchangeable pricing for residents.

Meanwhile, Aena’s tariff strategy could power which airports spot upgrades. Airlines person pushed backmost against immoderate interest increases to money nan €12.9 cardinal plan, informing it could trim capacity astatine smaller bases. Government ministers insist nan investments are “essential for competitiveness”, pinch last allocations expected to beryllium confirmed successful 2026.

A location balancing act

Compared pinch Malaga’s planned €1.5 cardinal terminal description , Almeria’s imaginable useful are humble – apt focused connected runway resurfacing, terminal travel improvements and operational information systems. But for section tourism, exporters and residents, moreover a mini measurement could beryllium transformative.

If nan connection succeeds, building could statesman arsenic early arsenic 2027. Until then, Almeria continues to invited thousands of travellers to its region passim nan year, offering each of its taste richness during Spain’s fast-moving all-year-round tourism boom.

Read much news from Almeria here.