A popular region in Spain is defying warnings of ghost towns and declining tourism as it experiences a surge in visitor numbers. The Alicante-Elche Airport in the Costa Blanca area has achieved record-breaking passenger figures for the tenth consecutive month, nearing the total number of passengers from the previous year with several weeks still remaining in 2025.
In October, the airport welcomed 1.9 million passengers, marking a 5.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these passengers, 631,771 were British travelers, making up more than a third of the total passenger traffic. Following the UK, Germany accounted for 129,127 passengers, and the Netherlands for 118,996.
Overall, the airport has processed 17.2 million passengers so far in 2025, with expectations to reach the 20 million milestone by the year’s end. The Olive Press, a Spanish expat news source, reported the airport’s busiest October for flights yet, recording 11,931 flights, a 6.1% increase year-on-year.
The introduction of new routes to Alicante by Ryanair has contributed to the uptick in passenger numbers. Ryanair announced connections to and from various cities, including Cardiff, Aberdeen, Bratislava, Linz, Salzburg, Bydgoszcz, Rzeszow, Stockholm Västerås, Småland, and Lanzarote.
Moreover, Ryanair has expanded its flight offerings on 29 existing routes to Alicante for the winter schedule of 2025, recognizing the destination’s popularity during colder months. The airport is serviced by several budget airlines favored by British travelers such as easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, and Wizz Air, enhancing accessibility from different parts of the UK.
Alicante-Elche Airport, the fifth busiest in Spain and the largest in the Valencian Community, is renowned for its proximity to Benidorm, a popular holiday destination reachable by a 45-minute direct bus ride from the airport. Additionally, the airport’s closeness to Alicante city, known for its cultural attractions and picturesque beaches, adds to its appeal among tourists. Alicante has been hailed as ‘Spain’s most underrated city break’ by The Telegraph in a 2024 feature.
Amid concerns about anti-tourism protests in Spain in previous years potentially deterring visitors, the recent surge in tourism at Alicante-Elche Airport contradicts such speculations. While some destinations in Spain faced protests, including Barcelona and Majorca, the increase in passenger traffic to Alicante suggests that holidaymakers are still choosing Spain as their preferred vacation spot.
In response to tourist behavior, Benidorm has implemented strict regulations to maintain order. Rules include a ban on swimming in the sea between midnight and 7 am, with fines ranging from €300 to €1,500 (approximately £255 – £1,278). Leaving personal belongings unattended on the beach can also result in fines up to €250 (around £220.33). Furthermore, smoking and vaping are prohibited on the beach, with reports of fines reaching significant amounts.
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