A short history about the Malaga Airport

In 1919, the plane where Pierre Latécoere was flying, a Salmson 2 A, was flying over the city of Málaga looking for an appropriate place for landing. He landed in a location so-called “El Romperizo”. The aim of this pilot was to establish an airline linking France with its colonies through Spain. That’s the reason why he was looking for locations to erect the different aerodromes.

After the necessary trial/test flights, the first of September of 1919 was inaugurated the regular flight services that connected Malaga with Barcelona, Alicante, Toulouse, Tanger and Casablanca.

Already in 1937 the Malaga Airport became to be a military airbase, being located in it the Crewmembers, Observers and Specialists School of the Air Army.

In 1946, the airport is classified as a Customs Airport, opening it to the national and international air traffic. In 1948 the passengers’ terminal is inaugurated, being attended to by the operators of the airbase.

However, the most spectacular change in its design was done in 1960. Besides the runway enlargement and the construction of a parallel landing strip, the new airport complex was built in the middle of the airbase: it included a brand new plane park, the control tower, an electric power station, and the Terminal Building.

Until this moment, the airport was known as “El Rompedizo” or “Garcia Morato” airport. But following a Cabinet Order dated in September, 15th of 1965, the airport acquired the name that still uses today: the Malaga Airport.

The brand new passengers’ terminal is inaugurated in 1968, moving to the building all the national and international flights. But, the fast – increasing volume of air traffic force to the Government to built a new terminal in 1972.

In fact, the following decade showed up the imperative need of build another terminal building to accommodate the massive traffic of the airport. So, in 1991, is inaugurated the brand new “Pablo Ruiz Picasso” terminal, designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill. This astonishing building has two independent floors that separate the Arrivals and Departures flows. Also, the old terminal building is right next to and integrated in the new terminal building.

Obviously, a new parking building was necessary to be built. So, this building was definitely inaugurated and open for public in 1995, being connected with the Terminal Building through a tunnel. In this place is installed car hire without driver services.

This same year, the old passengers building is remodelled, as well as it is constructed a new Plane Maintenance hangar and a cargo terminal.

In 2002, it is inaugurated a brand new modern control tower fitted with the last technologies in air traffic control.

But, despite the great investments made along the last years, airlines and passengers still demand important improvements in the installations. That’s why the Department of Public Works has developed the so-called “Plan Málaga” Programme, trough which the government will carry out an almost 900 millions euro investment until 2010. More than 330 millions of this investment will be destined to the airport development.

We should take into account that the Malaga Airport is in the fourth in a national ranking, operating with the 75% of Andalusia passengers. Also, the people using the airport for work-related matters are increasing (35%) against the touristic passengers (65%).

Within the improvements made, we must emphasize all the accesses to the airport, the new passengers’ terminal and the second runway. Definitely, the biggest transformation of its history: the airport will become one of the most modern of Europe, with an unbeatable customer service. The new terminal will have capacity for 9.000 passengers per hour, in other words twice as capacity that has nowadays.

As a result of the “Plan Málaga” Programme we have the T1 terminal enlargement, the new seven-floor park building (with capacity for approximately 2.500 parking spots) and the new Terminal of Civil Aviation, used for private flights, aero taxis and the flight school, which is in use right now.

Given the location of the airport (besides a river), we believe that is worthwhile to mention the efforts realized in order to obtain the correct environmental protection of the spot. For these purposes, the University of Malaga is developing a catalogue gathering the flora species of the area. Also, is proceeding to collect and conserve all the fauna and flora species with any ecological interest.

The works carried out has the pertinent Environmental Impact Declarations, including actions aimed to protect and look after grounds, water quality, vegetation, atmosphere, etc.

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