On 26 June, Malaga will join the group of Spanish cities with more than one runway. This day, the Minister of Development, along with the President of Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (Aena), will preside in Malaga over the official opening of the new airfield, which is finished after nearly five years of work and procedures for certification.
Having a second runway will, at times of peak demand, almost double the number of operations; up to 72 aircrafts every hour, according to forecasts handled by Aena (now 37). Thus, may extend the horizon of destinations that are directly connected with Malaga and the Costa del Sol and increase tourist arrivals by air. Thus, next to the terminal T-3, there could be served up to 9,500 passengers every hour (30 million per year).
Malaga airport is the fifth in Spain with more than one runway, after Madrid (4), Barcelona (3), Palma de Mallorca (2) and Gran Canaria (2).
The first commercial aircraft landings took place on May 17 when a total of 44 aircrafts landed at the new infrastructure as part of the training of air traffic controllers and the rest of the airport staff. Initially, this resource will be used only in times of increased demand in the peak summer season.
