Source RTN tomorrow's edition 25th March
PASSENGERS WERE upgraded to Alicante airport’s new terminal yesterday (Thursday) as the 629 million euro building opened for business for the first time.
The first day of operations at El Altet’s new state of the art facility saw 143 scheduled flights – 73 arrivals and 70 departures - at a truly international airport handling flights each week between 14 national airports and 75 foreign destinations.
Just 24 hours earlier, Development Minister Jose Blanco officially opened the new terminal – capable of handling 20 million passengers a year.
Amongst the 1,000 guests at the ceremony were President of the Valencia Community Francisco Camps, Mayor of Elche Alejandro Soler, Mayoress of Alicante Sonia Castedo, and President of the Spanish airport authority AENA Juan Lema.
Late on Wednesday night 126 people arriving from Madrid made a little history -although they were probably unaware of their bit part – as they brought the curtain down on the old terminal buildings as passengers on the last flight to use the complex.
INVEST
Mr Blanco said government investment in Alicante made the province one of the most important areas in Spain for both business and tourism – with the high speed AVE train linking the city with Madrid.
He said: “Each euro invested in Alicante creates wealth for all the Spanish people.
“This airport was the first in Alicante and since 2001 has seen an increase in passenger traffic of 43% making it the sixth largest airport in our country, with more than 25,000 passengers a day.”
And the minister said the “commitment” to development of the Mediterranean Corridor “is not seen in words but in actions.”
It is estimated that around 40% of passengers using the new terminal will be British and Consul Paul Rodwell has already praised the sign and design of a building that will provide a welcome to visitors to the Costa Blanca – and the increased security measures.
IMPRESS
“I think this new terminal will give visitors to Alicante an excellent impression when they arrive,” he said. “Given that a large percentage of the arrivals to the airport are British, I am pleased with the close working relationship with the airport authorities, especially in situations such as the crisis following the eruption of the Icelandic volcano last year.
“I also noted that the arrivals hall looks like a vast improvement from a security angle, which I welcome.”
It is estimated that 14,000 people will work either directly or indirectly at the new terminal and staff have been busy familiarising themselves with the building ahead of the Easter and summer season.
The statistics themselves are impressive. It covers 333,500 square metres and has 98 check-in desks and 26 gates with 16 air bridges taking passengers direct to the aircraft door.
And there are 16 baggage carousels and an automated baggage control system is ready to process more than 7,800 items of luggage per hour.
AENA believes passengers will notice an increased level of customer care and enjoy an improved travel experience – not least because there are 30 shops, restaurants and bars in the departure lounge, modelled on the ‘walk through’ system already successful at UK airports.