Due to the heavy traffic increases in the past years and given the urgency with which the passenger service improvements were required, in June 2004 the terminal at Murcia Airport was expanded with prefabricated modules adding 1,100 square metres to the arrivals area. Two new baggage reclaim carousels were installed, as well as office spaces for four car hire companies and five shops.
The airport is used by both civilian and military aircraft, and as a result is only available to civil flights after 15:00 on all weekdays. Weekends operate a normal full day.
In late 2006 the modifications to the terminal were completed. The number of check in desks was doubled to 16 with a lot more space for queuing passengers. The security check area was moved and is now 10 times its original size. Except during the peak summer months the security queues are minimal. The departure lounge has been substantially enlarged and now has 5 gates, far more seating, a café, duty-free shop (not all that cheap - buy booze in the supermarket), additional and larger toilet facilities, and a couple of gift shops.
Land-side there is a self service café that opens during normal airport opening hours. Outside the terminal is a kiosk selling drinks and limited food, with adjacent tables and chairs for those wishing to give the tan a final top-up. I think this is really for the benefit of smokers as even Spain complies with not smoking in airport terminals.
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)
Location & Directions
The airport is located 11km (7 miles) south of Alicante. From Alicante, take the Autovia Alicante-Murcia and leave at the airport junction; alternatively, take the national road N-340 to the airport. From Benidorm, take the Autopista A-7.
Car Parking
Parking is available at the airport in two car parks with a total capacity of 2,000 spaces. One car park is located opposite the terminal building and the other next to it; long- and short-term parking rates are available.
Car Hire
Atesa, Auriga, Avis, Centauro, Europa Car, Europcar, Hertz, Record Rent a Car and Sol-Mar are all represented in Arrivals, next to baggage reclaim.
Public Transport
Road: Bus: The C9 public bus service runs every hour to/from Alicante central bus station. Other services run to Benidorm and Murcia. All buses depart from opposite the Arrivals hall. Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport (journey time to Alicante - 15-20 minutes). The taxi rank is situated in front of the Arrivals hall. Further taxi information (tel: (965) 252 511) is available.
Information and Help Desks
Aena information desks are located at the check-in area and in the Departures area. The Valencia Tourism Agency (tel: (966) 919 367) has an information desk in the Arrivals area.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Facilities include bureaux de change, ATMs and a post office. There are pay phones throughout the airport, and Internet access is available. Eating and drinking: There are several bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as a fast-food outlet and ice cream parlour, at the airport. Shopping: Shops include newsagents, tobacconists, gift and jewellery shops, a music store, cake shop, sports and shoe shops, CD and video store, and three duty-free shops. Luggage: There are lost property offices on the ground floor. There is no left-luggage facility at the airport. Other facilities: There is a 24-hour first aid service and a pharmacy.
Facilities for Disabled Travellers
There is a designated area outside the terminal building for dropping off disabled passengers. There are also designated parking spaces for disabled passengers in the airport car park opposite the terminal building. The airport has lifts, ramps and disabled toilets; wheelchairs are available on request; passengers requiring special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.
Flights to Alicante from:
Blackpool – Jet2.com
Leeds – Jet2.com
Manchester – Jet2.com, Bmibaby & First Choice
LondonLuton – Easyjet, Monarch
London Stansted – Easyjet
London Gatwick – Easyjet, First Choice, Monarch
Bristol – Easyjet
Liverpool – Easyjet
Nottingham East Midlands – Easyjet, Bmibaby, Thomsonfly
