Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is set for a 985 million GBP (1.154 billion EUR) expansion between 2027 and 2031, including a new terminal dedicated to non-Schengen arrivals to manage growing numbers of UK passengers under the European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES).
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the investment plan from the airport itself. The programme, known as DORA III, represents a historic investment of 12.888 billion EUR across Spain’s airport network and triples the previous five-year investment plan, which ran from 2022 to 2026.
Of the total earmarked for Alicante-Elche, more than 450 million EUR is allocated to the 2027-2031 phase, with the remaining 701 million EUR held back for the following investment cycle. That means the full scope of the works will extend into the mid-2030s.
The centrepiece of the initial phase is a new departure pier dedicated to non-Schengen arrivals. British travellers, who make up the airport’s largest international passenger group, now fall under non-Schengen processing rules following Brexit, including biometric checks under the EU’s upcoming EES.
The expansion will see the terminal extended northwards, with additional airbridges and a reorganisation of commercial aviation areas. Airport director Laura Navarro outlined the roadmap at the Hosbec general assembly, held at the airport, where government officials and tourism industry representatives highlighted air connectivity as a key driver of the local economy.
Alongside the new terminal, the plan includes a new underground railway station connecting the airport to the Alicante-Elche C-1 commuter line. Aena and rail operator Adif have agreed to build the link, giving the airport a direct rail connection for the first time. Currently, the airport is only accessible by road.
The upgrade also covers a new security checkpoint using advanced technology, which could allow passengers to keep liquids and electronics in hand luggage in some cases, along with improvements to parking and access roads.
Aena has set a target of net-zero emissions at the airport by 2030, 20 years ahead of the global airline industry’s 2050 climate neutrality goal. The operator aims to raise the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 26 million, up from the current range of 18 million to 20 million.
Alicante-Elche handled a record 19.95 million passengers in 2025, a rise of 8.5 per cent on the previous year, and is expected to surpass 20 million passengers this year. Aircraft movements rose 8.4 per cent over the same period, reaching 126,081.
Before construction begins, the investment proposals must pass through a formal consultation process with airlines, overseen by Spain’s National Commission for Markets and Competition and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The plans will also be discussed with regional bodies, including the Valencian government, before being formally incorporated into Aena’s investment programme.
The plan has drawn some criticism locally for not including a second runway at the airport. Hosbec president Fede Fuster and the mayor of Elche both expressed disappointment, arguing that the absence of a second runway means more tourist flights must be scheduled during early morning hours, which can discourage some visitors from choosing the destination.
The initial phase of the project has a summer 2027 completion deadline. Aena has said the airport will remain fully operational throughout the works, though travellers may experience some disruption during peak periods until the new facilities are complete.
