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.

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Spanish police have dismantled a group allegedly responsible for stealing wallets and cash from passengers on Malaga’s Cercanias commuter trains.

Criminals followed victims from ticket machines onto crowded carriages before making off with their belongings.

Operation uncovers coordinated thefts across key routes

National Police officers detained seven individuals in two separate phases during this crackdown on commuter line crimes. The group focused on travellers arriving at Malaga airport and heading to popular destinations, including Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Malaga centre itself. Many victims were foreign tourists who reported the incidents in recent weeks.

Investigators uncovered a modus operandi in the complaints that led to rapid action from the specialised theft unit.

Criminals memorised PINs at ticket machines

Surveillance camera footage proved essential in mapping out the gang’s tactics. Suspects approached people at platform ticket vending machines, pretended to offer assistance or struck up conversations, then observed the PIN codes entered. They trailed the victims onto trains and exploited crowded platforms or carriages to snatch wallets or handbags.

After snatching the cards, the thieves quickly visited nearby bank branches to withdraw as much cash as they could. This methodical approach allowed them to empty accounts before victims could react or cancel their cards.

Two-phase arrests yield key evidence

In the first phase, officers apprehended five men from a criminal network that moved from town to town just as they gathered at a railway station. These individuals formed part of a mobile operation that travels across Spain, making full identification and capture challenging. Searches continue for the remaining associates.

One week later, police located two women aged 39 at Guadalhorce station. The pair had just arrived from Fuengirola and prepared to board another service in the same direction. Officers seized cash in euros and foreign currencies plus items linked to the thefts during the arrest.

Impact on tourist safety in the Malaga region

This case goes to show ongoing efforts to protect holidaymakers using public transport in southern Spain. Commuter lines connecting the airport to coastal towns see heavy seasonal traffic, creating opportunities for such opportunistic crimes.

Enhanced police presence on trains and at stations has increased following the rise in reports. Victims often realise the theft too late, after funds have already disappeared from their accounts.

The police urge passengers to shield PIN entry and to keep vigilant in busy areas. Malaga province is well known for its low level of crime; however, small-scale theft like this is one of the biggest problems it suffers year in year out.