The head of tourism at Junta de Andalucia is optimistic that Malaga Airport will enhance its array of long-haul connections, including destinations in Asia, the United States, and the Middle East, within the next two years. As part of a concerted effort to increase the region’s global flight connections, Andalucian tourism officials have outlined a list of priority destinations, setting a target to achieve this expansion by 2025.
Revealing these aspirations at the Fitur International Tourism Fair 2024 in Madrid, Arturo Bernal, the regional tourism minister, expressed the airport’s determination to fortify its flight links to Asia, the United States, and the Middle East. The strategic air connectivity plan encompasses securing direct flights to prominent locations such as Miami, Buenos Aires, Mexico, Dubai, and Shanghai.
Presently, officials are diligently working on this initiative, with the primary objective of increasing the available airline seats to Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East by a substantial 85%. Bernal conveyed his confidence in the prospect of an improved offering at Malaga Airport, particularly with regard to the United States. The plan envisions a notable 35% surge in flights to North America, including Canada, and an 8% increase in connections with Europe and Spain.
“While Malaga holds a preeminent position as the primary airport in the region, catering to over 22 million passengers last year, our commitment extends to supporting all the airports within Andalucia,” Bernal affirmed. Notably, Cordoba has recently joined the Andalucian airport network, and Bernal emphasized the importance of assigning specific missions to each airport based on the prevailing market dynamics for long or medium-haul flights.
Malaga Airport presently boasts direct and year-round connections to Istanbul and Canada. During peak seasons, the airport will reintroduce daily flights to New York and the capital of Qatar, further enhancing its global connectivity.