Malaga airport expansion: What it will look Like

Malaga Airport is continuing its impressive expansion. It is predicted that it will receive nearly 27 million passengers per year by 2025. 

The gateway to Costa del Sol is growing unabated and has already become Spain’s fourth busiest airport. Malaga Airport saw a 7.8% growth in passengers during the first six months of 2025 compared to 2024. According to data from Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena), the upward trend is leading to a record-breaking year. Applying the same rate of growth to the second-half of 2024 (when 13.4 million passengers went through), the airport could have approximately 14.5 millions travellers from July to December, pushing the total to a new record 26.8. This figure is a significant improvement over the 2024 record of almost 25 million passengers.

After COVID came the exponential growth of the airport. Aena’s major project of modernisation and expansion will accommodate up to 36 millions passengers annually. It is expected that the plan will start in 2028. Planning and environmental assessments should begin in 2020. By upgrading the infrastructure, it is hoped to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency.

Malaga airport expansion plans more non-Schengen arrivals

The expansion proposed is massive. Terminal area will increase from 80,000 square metres to 140,000, with the demolition of Terminal 1 and Docks B and C. This expansion includes a new non-Schengen Dock, centralised border controls, and increased contact positions for planes. Security screening areas are set to grow by 112 %, passport control at departures by a massive 515 %, and non Schengen waiting and board areas by 381 %. Schengen boarder zones will be increased by 126%, while commercial and VIP lounges grow by 41%. The redesign aims to improve passenger comfort and service by streamlining processes from arrival through to boarding.

New taxiways on the airfield will improve the flow of aircraft and enhance the capacity of the runway. There are no plans to build a new runway. The exterior improvements include better access and more parking. Aena, whose vision remains unveiled, wants to future proof Malaga Airport so that it can meet its soaring demand and remain a key hub in the tourism-driven economy of Costa del Sol. Malaga Airport has made a big leap forward in the 106-years since the first Salmson 2A arrived.