Malaga Airport prepares for a major renovation: what will change for millions of tourists.

Major Reconstruction of Malaga Airport

According to The Sun: Malaga Airport is preparing for a major renovation that will cost approximately €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion). The project will last several years and involves the expansion of terminals and improvements to the security system, which is expected to reduce passenger waiting times.

Thanks to the renovation, the area of the airport terminals will almost double — from 80,000 sq. m to 140,000 sq. m. This means that new boarding gates, expanded check-in and security zones will appear, as well as more shops and relaxation facilities.

Plans also include the demolition of Terminal 1 to build a new passport control area for non-Schengen travelers.

After the renovation is completed, the airport will be able to serve up to 36 million passengers per year — 12 million more than in 2024.

Construction is set to start in 2027, with project completion scheduled for 2031. Operator Aena, which manages 46 airports in Spain, plans to implement the latest scanning technologies.

These scanners will allow passengers not to remove liquids or electronic devices like laptops from their carry-on luggage.

Other improvements will include new taxi lines for aircraft and additional parking spaces for travelers. The operator also confirmed that the airport will remain open during the construction work.

Four companies have submitted proposals for the expansion design, including Bruce Fairbank, who developed Malaga Airport's T3 terminal in 2010.

Malaga Airport serves various airlines, including Ryanair, where tickets start at £14.99 one way. Aena also manages Barcelona Airport, which is awaiting major upgrades that could be approved in 2028.

If plans are approved, Aena will invest £2.8 billion in the expansion of Barcelona Airport, hoping to achieve runway capacity of 90 flights per hour — currently, it is 70 flights per hour.

Both projects are part of the DORA III plan, which involves Aena investing €13 billion (£11.3 billion) in 46 airports over the next five years.

The next part of the plan, called DORA IV, will cover the period from 2032 to 2036.

Aena stated:

“This long-term vision is not only a technical necessity but also a strategic national solution – aimed at future decades, enabling Catalonia to realize its full potential in an increasingly interconnected world.”

Several other airports will also receive upgrades as part of the plans, such as Reus Airport, which will have a new passport control area for arrivals. Girona Airport improvements will include enhancements in the boarding area as well as a new open terrace.

Aena forecasts that its airports will serve up to 320 million passengers in 2025, which is 3.4% more than the record 309 million passengers last year.

Recently announced plans also include £25 billion for Heathrow Airport, which involves the creation of a new sixth terminal, aiming to become 'the best airport in the world.'

Additionally, one regional airport in the UK will receive major upgrades totaling £50 million, including a new central terminal.

The reconstruction of Malaga Airport is an important part of the strategic development of infrastructure in Spain, aiming to improve passenger service quality and meet modern air transport requirements. The implementation of new technologies and the expansion of capacity can positively impact the region's tourism appeal and contribute to economic growth.