How Spain’s Málaga Airport Grew into an International Hub — Lessons for Korea
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Málaga Airport in southern Spain has doubled passengers in a decade to about 25 million last year, served by 58 airlines on 276 routes (243 international, 33 domestic). Strategic, ahead-of-need investments — including a 3rd terminal (2010) and a 2nd runway (2012) — attracted low-cost carriers and year-round demand. Operator Aena runs Spain’s 46 large and regional airports under one integrated system, enabling cross-subsidized, long-term investments and coordinated expansion through a regulatory plan called DORA (Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria). DORA fixes five-year airport CAPEX and fees to ensure timely funding. Korean experts say the split operation between Incheon Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation limits networked investment for regional airports; Málaga shows integrated management and proactive investment can turn regional airports into international gateways.
