Travellers heading to Spain this summer have been warned of potential flight delays.
The alarm has been raised by Javier Gandara, president of the Association of Airlines (ALA), which represents 85% of carriers in the country.
In an ALA press release in late March, he said the potential congestion in air traffic management at the European level posed a risk of flight delays.
He said the summer season would be ‘tricky’ following the recovery of pre-pandemic traffic in neighbouring countries.
Many are already recording traffic increases at or above 2019 levels, which could strain the European network during the high season (April to October).
‘Last summer, en-route delays due to air traffic congestion in Europe increased by more than 50%; it is imperative that this situation not be repeated this summer,’ Gandara said.
It comes as Alicante-Elche Airport, which services Benidorm, is preparing for a record-breaking season.
The travel hub has already secured 14.8million seats between April and October, representing a 7.1% year-on-year increase.
New routes have broadened its summer schedule, with previously unheard-of destinations such as Linz, Salzburg, Athens and Belgrade.
The additions come as traditional markets have already met or surpassed their 2019 levels, including the UK, Germany and France.
