Surge in 2025 passenger traffic overwhelms existing infrastructure, prompting renewed calls for expanded facilities
A significant rise in air traffic at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport during the first five months of 2025 has triggered mounting concern among law enforcement authorities over persistent congestion at passport control. The Spanish Confederation of Police (CEP), one of the major unions representing the National Police, is calling on airport operator Aena to reopen Terminal 2—currently out of use—to ease pressure on overstretched border control facilities.
According to official figures, Alicante-Elche Airport handled over 7.3 million passengers from January through May 2025—an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This spike in travellers has led to what the CEP describes as “routine saturation” at passenger control points, resulting in long queues and growing frustration among both passengers and police personnel.
Terminal 2 at the airport—also known locally as El Altet—was decommissioned several years ago following the expansion and centralization of operations in Terminal 1. While the airport has continued to grow in popularity, especially among international and seasonal travellers, Terminal 1 remains the sole facility in active use, and its capacity is now being stretched to the limit.
In a formal letter to Aena, the CEP warns that Terminal 1 alone is no longer sufficient to manage the current volume of air traffic, calling the situation “unsustainable” for both border control operations and overall airport functionality. The union argues that the current infrastructure is outdated and no longer aligned with the growing demands of modern air travel, particularly in a key tourist hub like Alicante.
“This high concentration of passengers is forcing excessive flexibility in border control procedures and undermining passenger comfort due to prolonged waiting times,” the union stated. It also cited an adverse impact on the working conditions of both Aena personnel and security forces, saying the strain compromises the ability to perform professional duties effectively.
The call for the reopening of Terminal 2 comes despite Aena’s current plans to demolish the building in the future as part of a long-term expansion of Terminal 1. The CEP is urging authorities to reconsider that timeline, arguing that reopening the terminal—even temporarily—could provide immediate relief and prevent further deterioration of service quality.
The union’s appeal follows a similar crisis at Madrid-Barajas Airport last week, where Terminal 4 experienced passport control delays that left passengers queuing for over an hour and caused some to miss their flights. Police unions there reported staffing shortages, noting that just eight officers were managing up to 16 control points during peak periods.
With summer travel approaching its peak, concerns are growing that without urgent action, Spanish airports may face ongoing operational disruptions. The CEP maintains that the reopening of Terminal 2 at Alicante-Elche Airport is a critical short-term measure to address these immediate pressures and safeguard both passenger experience and border security.
