Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport has plans to double its number of jet bridges as part of the massive €1.5 billion expansion. From 26 to 48 boardingbridges, the airport will be able to change the travel experience for millions of passengers through one of Europe’s busiest gateways.
Airport director Pedro Bendala announced the details this week at a CIT Marbella event, one of his last public engagements before stepping down next month.
Malaga Airport will undergo some changes
Aena, Spain’s national airport operator, The DORA III national plan has included a massive infrastructure upgrade.
Key changes and dates are –
Increase from 26 to 48 bridges (22 new ones), resulting in a reduction of bus transfers.
The old Terminal 1 as well as piers C and B will be completely destroyed.
The old structures will be replaced by a modern non-Schengen (A European country that is not part of the open border agreement and requires you to show your passport as well as pass through formal immigration controls) pier, with a centralized border control.
Total terminal area will increase by 80,000 to 140.000 square metres.
Construction contracts should be awarded by the end of this year. The groundwork will begin in 2027 with completion expected in 2031.
Costa Del Sol is a great destination for anyone living or traveling to the area
The practical improvements can be a game changer
1. Post-Brexit bottlenecks are over
Malaga is Malaga’s largest market. The UK brought 5.69 million passengers into the city last year. In order to combat the post-Brexit passport lines, new non Schengen facilities will increase passport control capacity by 515% and non-Schengen boarding areas by 381%.
2. Say goodbye to the dark and welcome to a lighter, more accessible space
At present, international travelers pass through passport control at what Bendala called “a dark area because there is no natural light.” The new design will bring a naturally lit, bright terminal. The escalators will be replaced by ramps to ensure that all passengers, whether they have mobility needs, are pushing prams, or have heavy luggage, follow the same route.
3. Global Connectivity
Malaga has already become Spain’s third busiest airport. It handled 7.7 million passengers during the first four months in 2026. Bendala said that Malaga, once completed, could become the world’s best-connected airport outside of capital cities, allowing direct flights to North America and the Middle East.
What you need to know if you use Malaga
The airport will be fully functional throughout the work, but regular flyers need to remember some things.
Expect future disruption. Expect minor disruptions in the area of old Terminal 1 (and piers C and B) as demolitions begin.
Double-check gates. It is important to double-check gates, especially if you’re a frequent traveler who uses autopilot. When travelling during a construction window, make sure you carefully check the departure screens as gate arrangements may change.
No immediate impact. No immediate impact. Construction won’t start until next year. The airport is hoping for a smoother transition to its ultimate goal of 36 millions passengers per annum by 2031.
