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Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has made history once again in 2024, breaking its own passenger record for the second consecutive year. With nearly 18.4 million passengers (18,387,387 to be exact), the airport surpassed 2023’s figures by a staggering 2.6 million, representing a 15.8% increase.
These figures, published by airport operator Aena, highlight Alicante-Elche’s rising prominence as one of Spain’s key transportation hubs.
The airport’s success can be attributed to its ability to reduce seasonal dependence and maintain consistent traffic throughout the year. Both domestic and international traffic have seen notable growth. International travel, which remains the airport’s core market, rose by 16.8%, accounting for 15.79 million passengers.
Meanwhile, domestic traffic experienced a significant boost, with 2.8 million passengers—a nearly 17% increase. The airport also recorded an impressive rise in operations, managing 116,270 flights, up 15.6% from 2023.
The United Kingdom remains the top market for Alicante-Elche Airport, contributing 6.12 million passengers. Other major markets include the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and a rapidly growing Poland, which brought in over 846,000 passengers.
December 2024 marked a particularly strong end to the year, with over 1.21 million passengers—an increase of nearly 17% compared to December 2023. Flight operations for the month also hit a record high, with 8,402 flights, reflecting a 17.7% rise.
The airport’s remarkable growth has prompted plans for expansion. Aena, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, has initiated steps to enhance the facility’s capacity.
The project will include the addition of a second terminal, a move widely praised by the Generalitat, business sector, and local authorities. However, there is also a call for the construction of a second runway to meet future demands.
The expansion plan focuses on repurposing the old Terminal 1 and extending the current terminal building, including the boarding dock.
This development will cater to growing non-Schengen traffic, accommodating passengers from countries outside the European Union, excluding Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which are part of the European Free Trade Association.
With its record-breaking achievements and ambitious expansion plans, Alicante-Elche Airport is poised to strengthen its position as a vital gateway for international and domestic travel.
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