Marián Cano, Regional Minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, has expressed her concern and disagreement with the central government’s announcement that it will invest €3.2 billion in the expansion of Barcelona Airport, while key projects for Valencia and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airports remain stalled.
Cano rued “the central government’s abandonment of the Valencian Community” and highlighted the fact that “while other autonomous regions, such as Catalonia, are moving forward with significant investments to expand Barcelona airport, the Valencian Community is still waiting.” As a result, she urged “fair and balanced treatment based on the economic and tourism reality of our region.”
We welcome any investment that improves the connectivity and capacity of the Spanish airport system, but we cannot accept that, while a major investment for Barcelona has been clearly defined and funded, we in the Valencian Community are still waiting for the completion of two strategic and urgent initiatives: the expansion of Valencia Airport and the second runway at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport,” Cano emphasised.
“We want action, not promises. The Valencian Community has proven its ability to attract tourism, investment, and air traffic. What we need now is fair, balanced, and transparent planning that puts our infrastructure where it belongs: at the level of demand and economic potential,” said Marián Cano.
The regional minister emphasised that Valencia Airport and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport are exceeding their technical capabilities, with record passenger numbers and a steady development trend. Indeed, according to AENA’s most recent data, both airports have achieved historic levels in recent months.
Regarding the 2025 data, Valencia Airport closed the first four months of the year with a total of 3,472,631 passengers, a 13% rise over the same time in 2024. In terms of operations, the Valencian infrastructure supported 28,168 flights, an increase of 11.8% over the previous year.
In addition, from January to April, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport operated 34,984 flights, 13.5% more than the previous year, and welcomed 5,432,165 people, a 12.7% rise year on year.
Economic impact and lost opportunities
According to estimates published in 2024 by the Council of Chambers of Commerce of the Valencian Community and the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, failing to expand Valencian airports might cost millions of dollars in income and jobs.
In Valencia, the negative impact is estimated to be more than €933 million per year until 2030, with over 17,000 employment at danger and the possibility of losing roughly 4 million passengers yearly if capacity is not increased.
If the second runway is not completed, it is anticipated that 2 million passengers will be lost annually on the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández route, costing the tourism industry €920 million per year.
Other Articles
No Comment! Be the first one.