Alicante-Elche Airport surpasses 2022 passenger figures by September
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport set a new passenger record in September 2024, with a total of 1,801,340 users. This represents a 15.3% increase compared to the same month last year, making September a historic month, even surpassing the numbers from July and August 2023. On average, the terminal managed around 60,000 travelers per day.
International traffic continues to dominate, accounting for more than 85% of the total, with 1,560,979 passengers, reflecting a 15.5% growth compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, domestic traffic also showed a 14.1% increase, with 239,317 passengers. Among the main source countries, the UK leads with 620,468 travelers, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
In terms of operations, September recorded 11,171 flights, representing a 16.1% increase compared to the same month last year.
On track for a record year
Between January and September 2024, the airport handled a total of 14,094,464 passengers, marking a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of operations, 88,059 flights were recorded, reflecting a 15.1% growth compared to the previous year.
This growth puts the airport on track to surpass the 15.7 million passengers recorded in 2023 and the 15 million in 2019, the pre-pandemic year. If the current trend continues, the airport could close 2024 with record-breaking figures.
Future outlook
The airport’s continuous growth has raised concerns in the political arena. The regional Minister of Tourism, Nuria Montes, has emphasized the urgency of speeding up the expansion of the Valencian Community’s airport facilities, given the growing number of international tourists choosing the region as a destination. According to Montes, expansions at both Alicante-Elche and Valencia airports are necessary to meet future demand and ensure efficient service.
Montes also announced ongoing efforts to establish direct flights to destinations like New York. In this regard, a meeting is scheduled for December with airlines and tour operators during the annual USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) Congress in Florida, aiming to attract more American tourists to the Valencian Community.
