Malaga Airport on Spain's Costa del Sol has undergone a number of changes since the start of this year.
Plans were actually ahead of schedule for a change with the new Terminal 3 building opened by the King of Spain slightly earlier than predicted Easter, the new underground station in the terminal building opened earlier this month (three months ahead of schedule) and the additional runway is due to start operating at the end of 2011. This is behind schedule as the works were due for completion at the end of this year but are not expected to be finished next April. The runway will then undergo several months of testing to check it meets strict European airline regulations before being opened for passenger use.
So 2012 should see an increase in the number of airlines and flights operating out of Malaga Airport. Hopefully these will include some long haul routes to places like the USA as these types of services are sadly lacking at the moment and you have to go to Madrid Barajas Airport for most international connections.
The new underground station means that you no longer have to walk out of the departures building, cross the road, go through the car park and over an open metal bridge which spans the motorway. This was followed by having to climb a number of very steep concrete steps to get to the station platform which is open to the elements. The in-house station obviously provides much better passenger access and the frequency of the trains to Maria Zambrano Station in Malaga in one direction and Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola in the other has been increased.
Check in for UK flights is still in the terminal 2 departures area, but the security area behind the check in desks and passengers only departures zone is closed as it is being refurbished so you have to go (via travelator) to Terminal 3 to clear security and passport control and do any last minute shopping. The good news is that there are several duty free shops in this area and some great new shops and places to get something to eat and drink. When Terminal 2 refurbishment is finished it will also connect through to the same area.
Malaga Airport on the Costa del Sol and Palma Airport on the Island of Mallorca are the two main airports for Spanish holidaymakers, so the Spanish Airport Authority seem to be anticipating a lot more people travelling here in the future by planning ahead and increasing the number of passengers that Malaga will be able to handle.
They have installed a new automated luggage system which is far more efficient than the old one and able to handle more bags over a shorter period of time, allowing passengers to check their baggage in much earlier than previously.
Because travelling is becoming more and more difficult it is always worth checking the flights status at your arrival or departures airports to see if there are any delays planned.
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