ALICANTE AIRPORT FACILITIES

Published: 16 February 2026
Updated: 16 February 2026
Author: Citrine PR Department

Alicante Elche Airport (ALC) is the main international gateway for Spain’s Costa Blanca region, serving Alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Benidorm and surrounding areas. It is one of Spain’s busiest airports, handling millions of travellers annually and offering extensive connections across Europe and beyond.

Airport Facilities

The airport features a modern terminal building designed to handle large volumes of passengers efficiently. Facilities include:

Passenger Services

Check in halls with airline desks and self check in kiosks.
Security screening with modern scanning technology (undergoing upgrades).
Immigration and passport control areas for Schengen and non Schengen arrivals.
Baggage reclaim and customs zones.
Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

Retail & Dining

Duty free shops and international retail outlets fashion, tech, gifts.
Cafés, bars and restaurants offering local and global cuisine.
Convenience stores and service counters.

Lounges

VIP lounges with comfortable seating, snacks and drinks.

Accessibility

Lifts and ramps for travellers with reduced mobility, plus special assistance services.

Parking Options

The airport has several parking facilities to suit different needs:

1. Parking General (P1)

Main multi storey parking opposite the terminal, ~5 min walk to check in.
~2,600 spaces, ideal for short and mid stays.

2. Parking Preferente

Premium parking on an upper level of P1, closest to departures.
Ideal for quick access less walking.

3. Long Stay Parking

Best for long trips (8–10 min walk to terminal).
No height limit for vehicles.

4. Parking Express (Departures and Arrivals)

Short stay spaces close to the terminal for dropping off or picking up passengers.
Usually 10 minutes free; then tariffs apply.

5. Special Parking

Dedicated areas for rental car returns and bus and shuttle operators.

Payment options include ticket machines, app/matrix plate billing, and Aena Club discounts.

Public Transport Connections
Travelling between the airport and the city or surrounding areas is straightforward:

Buses

The C-6 bus is a major city link that connects ALC with Alicante city centre and main transport hubs, running frequently and 24/7 in many schedules. It stops near the centre, making it convenient for onward journeys.
Regional and intercity bus services also operate from nearby stops, linking towns like Benidorm and Elche though specific schedules may change seasonally.

Taxis & Ride Hailing

Taxi ranks are available outside the terminal, with official rates regulated.
Ride-hailing services such as Uber or Cabify operate in designated pickup zones; new regulated parking zones are planned to streamline access.

Shuttles & Private Transfers

Some hotels and tour operators offer dedicated shuttle services.
Private transfers can be booked in advance.

Future Rail Connection

Although trains do not currently serve the airport directly, plans for a rail link by 2030 exist to connect to AVE and regional services.

Arrivals & Departures
Arrivals

Upon landing, passengers disembark either via airbridges or remote stands depending on the aircraft and airline.
For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, passport control is generally faster; non EU travellers will queue at immigration who may use EES systems (see below).
Baggage reclaim and customs follow.

Departures

Check in and bag drop are located in the departures hall.
Security screening leads to airside with duty free shops, lounges, and boarding gates.
Boarding closes ~30 minutes before departure (varies by airline).

The terminal handles both Schengen and non Schengen flights, with appropriate segregation and signage.

Entry/Exit System (EES) for Non EU Citizens
From October 12 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has begun rolling out at Spanish airports including Alicante. It will be fully operational by April 10 2026. This applies to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens entering the Schengen Area.

What Is EES?

An automated digital system that records entries and exits of third country nationals.
Replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric data facial image and usually four fingerprints.
Records the date and place of entry and departure.
Helps manage compliance with the 90 days in 180 days short stay rule.

Procedure at Alicante Airport

On arrival from outside Schengen, non EU citizens will be directed to EES control points before entering the baggage hall.
They will scan their biometric passport and submit biometric data, photo and fingerprints, via kiosks or border officer stations.
The system logs the entry into the EU database.
On departure, a similar check records the exit.

Spanish Permanent Residents

Holders of a Spanish residence permit including EU long stay visas or residence cards are generally exempt from EES checks, as their status permits residence beyond short stay limits. They typically use the standard immigration lanes without EES processing.

Tips for Travellers

Biometric passport preferred: those without biometric passports may have to use manual controls.
Allow extra time at passport control during peak periods while EES rollout continues.
EES applies to all short stay visitors regardless of visa requirement; it does not replace ETIAS, which becomes required for visa exempt travellers from late 2026 onward.

List of Destinations (Winter 2025–26)

As of December 2025, Alicante Airport offers direct services to approximately 120 destinations in 29 countries, with strong seasonal and year round connectivity especially within Europe.

Key regions served include:

United Kingdom — multiple cities including London Gatwick and other UK airports.
Germany — several connections to major cities.
Poland — multiple routes.
Spain (Domestic) — seasonal and year round cities including Lanzarote, Santander, Santiago de Compostela (seasonal).
Austria — Linz, Salzburg.
Slovakia — Bratislava (seasonal).
Sweden, Norway and other Nordic links.
Romania, Hungary and Eastern European cities.

The airport continues to expand both winter and summer schedules, with 28 airlines operating these routes, and a mix of low cost and scheduled carriers. Some services that operated in past seasons may not be active this winter.

For a full destination list and real time flight info, check the official ALC destinations page or the airline’s schedule.

Special Assistance at Alicante Airport
Alicante Airport is committed to making travel accessible to all passengers, including those with reduced mobility or special needs. The airport provides a comprehensive, free assistance service designed to support travellers who may require help navigating the terminal, moving through security, boarding and disembarking aircraft, and accessing facilities. This support is offered in compliance with EU Regulation EC 1107/2006, which guarantees equal access to air transport for passengers with disabilities.

Barrier Free Service

The main special assistance offering is called “Sin Barreras” (Barrier-Free Service). Key features include:

Free of charge: There is no fee for passengers to use this service if they have mobility limitations or other disabilities making airport navigation challenging.
Who qualifies: Those with permanent or temporary mobility limitations, sensory impairments, age related challenges, or other conditions that affect their ability to walk long distances or manage airport procedures.
Personalised support: Assistance staff can accompany passengers from designated meeting points — located outside the terminal, at transport stops, and inside near check in to through check in, security, passport control if needed, boarding and baggage reclaim.
Wheelchair access: Wheelchairs are available upon request, and, for aircraft using remote stands, mobile lifts can assist with boarding and disembarking.
Hidden disabilities: The airport offers support for passengers with non visible or “hidden” disabilities. For example, there is an “invisible disabilities badge” (similar to the Sunflower Lanyard initiative) that passengers can use to discreetly signal they may need extra time, understanding, or support.
Sensory room: A dedicated sensory room is available near the boarding area for passengers with sensory processing disorders, providing a calm, adapted environment away from the busy terminal.

How to Request Assistance

To ensure the airport can prepare adequate support, passengers should arrange special assistance at least 48 hours before departure. This can be done:

When booking the flight with the airline or travel agent recommended, as airlines coordinate assistance for both departure and arrival.
Directly through Aena’s online Barrier Free service or customer service channels.
By calling the Aena helpline: +34 91 321 10 00 (support is available daily).

Passengers should arrive at least two hours before departure to allow assistance staff enough time to meet them at their designated meeting point and guide them through the check in and security processes.

Additional Services

In addition to the barrier free service, Alicante Airport also offers “Meet & Assist” a premium paid service that provides personalised support for all passengers, including fast track security, VIP accompaniment through formalities, and help with transfers. This is particularly useful for travellers who want additional comfort or are unfamiliar with the airport.

Summary
Alicante Elche Airport remains a busy and well equipped international gateway with modern facilities, extensive parking, and good public transport links. As the EU EES is rolled out through 2026, non EU travellers should expect biometric border procedures that replace traditional passport stamps. With seasonal expansion and solid year round connections across Europe, ALC continues to be an important hub for both tourism and resident travel.

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the content of this article is up to date and correct, it is possible that some information has been updated or changed. The information within this article has been compiled from many different sources and should therefore be verified before reliance on the content. This article may also contain opinions of the author, which are exactly that, they are opinions. The information in this article is provided by Citrine Real Estate for “interest only” and to provide some useful information for interested readers.