How a Spanish airport evolved from a 1919 air service to a global hub

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Málaga Airport is one of the oldest in Spain to remain at its original site. Since its first scheduled flight in 1919, it has transformed from a modest airfield into a massive international gateway, handling over 22 million passengers annually and undergoing constant architectural reinvention to meet modern travel demands.

The history of Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport began on 1 September 1919, when Didier Daurat launched regular air services connecting cities like Toulouse, Barcelona, and Casablanca. For decades, the site served as a vital link for the region, but the rise of package holidays in the 1960s necessitated rapid expansion. By 1965, approximately 30 companies were offering such holidays, driving the construction of new terminals and the extension of the airport's single runway to accommodate the surge in non-scheduled traffic.

The airport's infrastructure has been in a state of near-constant flux to keep pace with demand. Terminal 2, designed by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura, opened in 1991, while the massive Terminal 3 was inaugurated by King Juan Carlos in 2010. This expansion, part of the 'Málaga Plan' initiated in 2004, also included a second runway that became operational for commercial flights in 2012. These projects were essential for managing the airport's growth, which saw passenger numbers climb from 14.4 million in 2015 to 22.4 million by 2023.

Looking ahead, the airport continues to evolve through the DORA III project. Approved in September 2026, this ambitious €830 million initiative aims to further expand Terminal 3 and rework the main terminal area by 2031. These upgrades, designed by Bruce S. Fairbanks, are expected to increase the airport's annual capacity to 36 million passengers. From the demolition of older structures like the late-1960s terminal in 2005 to the integration of modern transport hubs, the airport remains a dynamic example of how infrastructure adapts to the shifting tides of global tourism.

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