Malaga’s international airport will almost double in size under construction plans presented to the local government this week.
Aena, Spain’s airport operator, has unveiled plans to expand the current terminal area from 80,000 to around 140,000 square metres.
Aena boss Maurici Lucena presented the ambitious project to Malaga mayor Francisco de la Torre and Provincial Council president Francisco Salado.
The expansion forms part of the next Airport Regulation Document (DORA III), which is due to be approved in September 2026 and will guide investment over the following five years.
While the total budget has not yet been disclosed, the plans are extensive. They include demolishing Terminal 1 and existing non-Schengen boarding areas (Docks B and C), and building a brand-new section next to the second runway.
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Lucena confirmed that a public tender for the works will be launched in the coming weeks, pending final tweaks to the ‘functional design’, which received a warm reception from local officials.
More space, smoother journeys
Among the most eye-catching upgrades is a new non-Schengen boarding area, complete with centralised passport control and increased contact gates, designed to improve efficiency for both passengers and airlines.
It’s no secret that Brits account for the highest number of non-Schengen arrivals at Malaga, with many complaining of crippling delays during peak hours and seasons.
Since Brexit, travellers from the UK have had to have their passports checked upon entering Spain and any other EU country, to ensure they are following the 90 in 180 day rule.
But this has caused delays at airports in popular holiday destinations, including Malaga.
The expansion will see:
- Security checkpoint space boosted by 112%
- Passport control at departures increased by a staggering 515%
- Non-Schengen waiting and boarding zones expanded by 381%
- Schengen flight areas increased by 126%
Aena also plans a 41% increase in commercial space inside the terminal and a 43% boost in VIP lounge areas.
Outside, new taxiways will improve aircraft movement, while the car parks will see increased capacity and better traffic flow.
Meeting record-breaking demand
The expansion comes as Malaga Airport continues to smash passenger records, handling nearly 25 million travellers in 2023, edging ever closer to its maximum capacity of 30 million.
Aena stressed that the works will follow strict environmental standards, promising ‘modern infrastructure with excellent connectivity and the highest levels of safety and sustainability.’
The move has been backed across the political spectrum, with regional and local authorities long calling for an upgrade to match Malaga’s booming tourism and economic growth.
