Alicante-Elche Airport opens process to expropriate 88,799 square metres in Elche

Alicante-Elche Airport has begun the public consultation process for the expropriation of 88,799.07 square metres in Elche, where Aena plans to build new facilities for general aviation. The notice, published in the BOE (Spain’s Official State Gazette) on 16 October, opens a period for objections; it does not mean that the plots will be occupied immediately.

Case 120-AENA/26 covers 25 plots in cadastral districts 137 and 140. Most of the land is rural, and 4,276.89 square metres are municipal public roads. The area affected includes land belonging to individuals, companies and Elche Town Council.

Owners and others affected have 15 working days to point out possible errors in the list of properties and rights. The notice says that the plans and expropriation annex can be consulted at Elche Town Hall and on the Ministry of Transport’s website.

According to the BOE, the works will allow the general aviation facilities to be relocated and the passenger terminal and its apron to be expanded. The airport needs space to adapt its security procedures and bring in new screening equipment, in line with European regulations. The land lies within the airport’s service area as defined by its Master Plan, approved in 2001.

The growth in passenger traffic provides context for the project: Aena recorded 16,867,055 passengers between January and September 2026, 10.1% more than in the same period the previous year. For residents of Guardamar and the Vega Baja, the project affects land in Elche, although it forms part of the airport infrastructure serving the province.

In September, the Council of Ministers approved the DORA 2027–2031, which provides for an investment of €868 million at the airport as part of Aena’s plan. The expropriation case is now entering its public consultation phase, ahead of the subsequent steps to secure the land.

News article produced by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, based on public sources.