Airport operator Aena expects Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández to handle 1,726 movements between 9 and 12 October—a 10.6 % jump on last year and the fastest growth among Spain’s five busiest leisure airports. Saturday, 10 October, is set to be the peak with roughly 470 take-offs and landings. The surge reflects pent-up domestic demand around the Valencian Community’s 9 d’Octubre holiday and the national Día de la Hispanidad. Online agency Kiwi.com reports that average ticket prices in/out of ALC have risen 23 % year-on-year to €166.50, evidence that capacity remains tight despite the extra flights. From a global-mobility standpoint, the data point to pressure on accommodation and ground transport in the Costa Blanca region, where many expatriate manufacturing staff are temporarily housed. The traffic directorate (DGT) has issued congestion warnings for the A-70 and AP-7 corridors around Alicante; companies moving technical teams between plants in Elche’s footwear cluster and the port should schedule transfers outside peak hours. Longer term, Alicante’s stellar growth—passenger numbers are already up 9.9 % YTD—strengthens the case for upgrading its Schengen arrivals hall ahead of the Entry/Exit System’s full enforcement audits in April 2027. Facility planners should watch for Aena’s next capital-spending plan, expected early 2027, which may prioritise e-gate installations at secondary airports. Travel managers can mitigate immediate disruption by advising assignees to avoid the Saturday peak, use fast-track security lanes where eligible, and pre-book parking, as on-site lots reached 97 % occupancy in August.
Source: The Daily Costa Blanca
