Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto de Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández), IATA code ALC, is the main international airport serving the Costa Blanca, the province of Alicante, and much of the Region of Murcia.
The airport is located within the municipality of Elche, approximately 9 km southwest of Alicante city, making it easily accessible from popular coastal resorts such as Benidorm, Torrevieja, Jávea, Dénia and Guardamar del Segura. Today, Alicante Airport is one of Spain’s busiest airports and the primary gateway for millions of international visitors each year, particularly from the UK, Ireland and northern Europe.
ALC is especially well known for its strong low-cost airline presence and year-round connections to dozens of European cities.
A Brief History of Alicante Airport
Alicante Airport originally opened on 4 May 1967, replacing the older La Rabassa airfield which had been in use since the 1930s. The airport was built in the El Altet area, a rural zone of Elche, which is why it was long known simply as El Altet Airport.
Regular domestic flights to Madrid and Barcelona began in the late 1960s, and passenger numbers grew rapidly during the 1970s as tourism along the Costa Blanca expanded. By the early 2000s, Alicante had become one of Spain’s key leisure airports.
A major turning point came with the rise of low-cost airlines. Carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet established Alicante as a major base, helping to transform it into one of the most important international airports in southern Europe.
In 2011, the airport entered a new era with the opening of a large, modern terminal building designed to handle long-term growth.
Terminals at Alicante Airport
The Current Passenger Terminal
Alicante Airport currently operates from one main passenger terminal, which handles all scheduled commercial flights, including both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations.
Opened in March 2011, this modern terminal was designed to cope with high passenger volumes and seasonal peaks. It includes extensive check-in facilities, multiple security lanes, a wide range of departure gates, and clearly separated Schengen and non-Schengen areas.
All arrivals and departures use this terminal today.
Former Terminals and Future Possibilities
Before 2011, Alicante Airport operated with Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Both terminals were closed to commercial passenger traffic following the opening of the current terminal and have remained unused for regular flights ever since.
However, there have been ongoing rumours and industry discussions suggesting that parts of the old terminal complex could potentially be brought back into limited use in the future.
One idea that has been widely discussed is the possibility of using the former terminal facilities exclusively for UK flights. Since the UK is now a non-Schengen country, British arrivals and departures already require additional border controls. Reintroducing a dedicated terminal or processing area for UK traffic could, in theory, help ease congestion during busy periods, particularly in peak summer months when UK passenger numbers are at their highest.
At present, no official confirmation or timetable has been announced, and all UK flights continue to operate from the main terminal alongside other non-Schengen services. Any future changes would depend on passenger demand, infrastructure investment, and decisions made by airport authorities.
For now, the idea remains a possibility rather than a plan, but it reflects the continued importance of UK routes to Alicante Airport and the challenges of managing growing passenger numbers efficiently.
What This Could Mean for Travellers
If such a change were ever implemented, a dedicated UK terminal could potentially mean:
Faster passport control processing during peak periods
Clearer separation between Schengen and non-Schengen passengers
Reduced congestion in the main departures and arrivals areas
Until then, travellers should assume no change to current operations, with all flights continuing to use the existing terminal.
Airlines and Destinations
Alicante Airport is best known for its extensive European route network. It offers year-round and seasonal flights to destinations across:
The United Kingdom and Ireland
Northern and Western Europe
Scandinavia
Central and Eastern Europe
Low-cost and leisure airlines dominate the airport, making it particularly popular with holidaymakers, second-home owners and expats travelling between Spain and their home countries.
Facilities and Services
ALC offers a full range of modern airport services, including:
Car hire desks from major international and local providers
Duty-free shopping and retail outlets
Bars, cafés and restaurants, including well-known international brands
Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
Assisted travel services for passengers with reduced mobility
Ground transport options include taxis, buses, private transfers and car parking facilities for both short and long stays.
Why Alicante Airport Matters
For many visitors and residents alike, Alicante Airport is more than just a transport hub — it’s the main link between the Costa Blanca and the rest of Europe. Its efficient layout, wide choice of routes and continued investment make it one of Spain’s most important regional airports.
Whether you’re arriving for a holiday, returning home, or flying out for business or family visits, Alicante Airport remains a key gateway to southeastern Spain.
Location of Alicante Airport
How to get to Alicante Airport by car
Alicante Airport is accessible via the A-7 “Autovia del Mediterraneo” highway (Autovia).The N-332 “trunk road” also goes to the airport. The exit to the airport is clearly indicated on each road.
Parking: Public and long term car parking available
Bus: Regular bus service from Alicante-Airport Line (C6). Alicante (line C6), Benidorm and Murcia
Airlines from Alicante Airport
Aer Lingus
Air Berlin
Bmibaby
EasyJet
Flybe
Iberia
Jet2.com
Monarch Airlines
Ryanair
Spanair
Vueling Airlines
Air Europa
Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomson Airways
Further travel and tourist information for Alicante Airport
Disabled: Alicante airport caters to wheelchairs, site impaired and hearing impaired travellers. Wheelchairs can be arranged with your carrier. The air company or travel agency should be contacted at least 48 hours before the flight out or return.
Alicante Airport Switchboard Tel: 966 919 000
Alicante flight information Tel: 966 919 100
Lost luggage: Air Europa Tel: 966 919 017
Lost luggage: Iberia Handling Tel: 902 341 342
Lost luggage: Ineuropa Handling Tel: 966 919 498
Lost luggage: Newco Airport Services Tel: 966 919 407