Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport has plans to double its number of jet bridges as part of the massive €1.5 billion expansion. Growing from 26 to 48 boarding bridges, changing the experience of how millions of passengers travel through one of Europe’s busiest holiday gateways.

Airport director Pedro Bendala announced the details this week at a CIT Marbella event,  one of his last public engagements before stepping down next month.

What will be changing at Malaga Airport

Aena, Spain’s national airport operator, has confirmed the huge infrastructure overhaul as part of its national DORA III plan.

Key changes and dates are –

An increase from 26 to 48 (22 new bridges), meaning far fewer bus transfers to planes.
The old Terminal 1 and piers B and C will be completely demolished.
A state-of-the-art non-Schengen (A European nation that does not belong to the open-border agreement, meaning you must show your passport and pass through formal immigration checks) pier with a centralised border control will replace the old structures.
Total terminal space will grow from 80,000 to 140,000 square metres.
Construction contracts are expected to be awarded later this year, with groundworks beginning in 2027 and completion by 2031.

For those living in or travelling to the Costa Del Sol

The practical improvements will be a game-changer

1. The End of post-brexit bottlenecks

The UK is Malaga’s largest market, bringing in 5.69 million passengers to Malaga last year alone. To directly tackle notorious post-Brexit passport queues, the new non-Schengen facilities will see an impressive 515% increase in passport control capacity and a 381% increase in non-Schengen boarding zones

2. Goodbye old dark space and hello lighter and more accessible zones

Currently, international travellers pass through passport control in what Bendala described as “a dark space because it does not have natural light.” The new design will introduce a bright, naturally lit terminal. Also ramps will replace escalators throughout, ensuring passengers with mobility needs, prams, or heavy luggage can follow the exact same routes as everyone else.

3. Global Connectivity

Malaga is already Spain’s third-busiest airport, handling 7.7 million passengers in the first four months of 2026 alone. Bendala predicted that once complete, Malaga could become one of the best-connected non-capital airports in the world, opening up the flexibility for direct routes to North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

If you are using Malaga what you should keep in mind

While the airport will remain fully operational throughout the works, regular flyers should remember a few things.

Expect future disruption. From 2027 onwards, expect changing walking routes and minor disruptions around the old Terminal 1 and piers B and C as demolition begins.

Double-check gates. Especially important if you are a frequent flyer and go into autopilot. Ensure you check departure screens carefully when travelling during the construction window, as gate arrangements will shift.

No Immediate Impact. Flights today are completely unaffected. Construction will not begin until next year, and the airport is aiming for a smooth transition toward its final goal of handling 36 million passengers annually by 2031.

Residents in the Guadalmar area between Malaga and Torremolinos were furious on Saturday, May 30, as the local police were called in again to close the beach and bar swimming in the sea due to another sewage discharge. Signs warning of a temporary ban appeared overnight, just one week after reopening following earlier contamination.
The mayor was approached by locals during the visit.

Mayor Francisco de la Torre visited Guadalmar to open a garden dedicated to Fernando Prini Betés. Neighbours spoke to him afterwards asking for permanent fixes for repeated sanitation failures in the area. No public response from the mayor has been issued so far on this latest incident.

Torremolinos council has issued no specific statement regarding this event. Similar past spills have impacted beaches such as Los Alamos in Torremolinos, prompting joint monitoring with Malaga authorities.

Limited risk to nearby Torremolinos shores

The council expects minimal effects on Torremolinos beaches because discharge occurs through a 475-metre underwater outlet. Water tests will confirm safety levels before any reopening.

Multiple failures linked to winter damage and ongoing repairs

A broken fitting on a 70-centimetre concrete pipe caused the latest problem near the Ciudad Deportiva del Malaga. Emasa, the water company, halted pumping and diverted flow while crews worked overnight. This is the latest in a series of issues that began with the December 2025 floods bursting sections of pipes crossing the Guadalhorce River.

Yes, works continue on the sewage network. Emasa activated a provisional system on May 22 using reversed reclaimed water pipes. That temporary measure failed when pressure dropped on Friday evening, May 29.

Repairs expected soon but full solution still months away

Technicians are planning to complete immediate repairs during the weekend. Full permanent replacement of damaged infrastructure should finish in August. Until then, similar incidents may recur as crews complete broader upgrades.
Emasa notified regional authorities immediately and will analyse water samples. A councillor for environmental sustainability said that brief discharge through the sea outlet should keep contamination below legal limits. Even so, officials advise caution on a hot weekend when crowds hit the beaches.

Local people voiced anger over frequent closures that disrupt access to popular swimming spots. Malaga council stresses efforts to minimise environmental harm while completing the necessary infrastructure work.

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