If it already feels busy at Alicante-Elche Airport, you are not imagining it. This summer is shaping up to be the busiest the airport has ever seen.
Airlines are gearing up for a record season, with more flights, more routes and more seats than ever before. In fact, capacity at Alicante is set to rise by 14.1%. Making it one of the fastest-growing airports in Spain right now.
That translates into around 16.8 million seats available over the summer season. This is up from roughly 14.7 million last year. And if past trends are anything to go by, that number could creep up even further.
More routes, more choice
For anyone living on the Costa Blanca, this is good news.
There are now direct flights to more than 30 countries, with a mix of familiar favourites and some newer additions. Alongside the usual UK and European routes, there are also fresh connections popping up to places like Armenia and Istanbul, as well as expanded links with North Africa, including Casablanca.
It all adds up to more choice, whether you are planning a summer getaway or expecting friends and family to fly in.
Alicante Airport’s busiest summer
Across Spain as a whole, airlines have scheduled more than 260 million seats between April and October, up 5.7% on last year.
Alicante is clearly playing a big part in that growth, and it reflects just how popular the Costa Blanca remains with international travellers.
The fuel question
There is, however, one thing sitting in the background. The cost of aviation fuel.
Prices have risen sharply in recent months, largely due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In simple terms, fuel is one of the biggest expenses for airlines, so when it goes up, it can have a knock-on effect.
That said, there is no concern about shortages in Spain. Most of the aviation fuel used here is produced locally, and only a relatively small percentage of crude oil imports come from the affected regions.
What it means for travellers
For passengers, the outlook is still very positive.
More flights usually mean more flexibility and, in many cases, better availability. But with demand expected to be high, it is still worth booking sooner rather than later, especially if you have specific dates in mind.
