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Date Published: 30/10/2024

Extra incentives for airlines to boost passenger numbers at Murcia Airport

New discounts aim to lift regional airports’ recovery after the pandemic lull

In a fresh push to get air traffic flowing again after Covid-19 at smaller airports across Spain, airports manager Aena has announced a new round of incentives for regional airports, focusing on those with fewer than 3 million passengers a year, such as the Region of Murcia International Airport.

This measure, approved by Aena’s Board on October 29, builds on the airport authority’s ongoing commitment to helping smaller travel hubs like Murcia and Granada-Jaén regain their pre-pandemic momentum.

Travel bosses hope that by offering additional discounts to airlines if they add more flights at smaller airports, they will be able to make better use of these airports in both summer and winter.

Perks for Murcia International and regional airports across Spain

The Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera, along with 16 other regional locations like Almería, Vigo and Seve Ballesteros-Santander, are now eligible for a substantial new benefit: airlines that add passengers over 2023 levels can enjoy a full waiver on security and PRM (Passenger with Reduced Mobility) fees on extra passengers.

This incentive package covers both summer and winter 2025–2026, promising airlines a 100% discount on some airport service fees.

Read also: All destinations for the Murcia Corvera Airport winter flight schedule 2024-2025

To qualify for this benefit, airlines need to grow traffic on non-duplicated routes compared to the year prior to the beginning of the scheme, easing operational costs in a way that could make these smaller airports more appealing for expanding routes and increasing frequency.

For carriers currently operating from Murcia and other regional hubs included in the scheme, the discount represents about 70% of the total cost of operating additional flights, making it a potentially valuable support for routes that might otherwise struggle to reach profitability.

Aena’s new move is in addition to existing passenger tariff exemptions for all additional travellers from 2024 to 2026 at any of its smaller airports with fewer than 3 million passengers.

The list includes both Murcia Airport and other destinations like Girona-Costa Brava, Asturias and Logroño-Agoncillo, which will continue to offer a full discount on passenger tariffs for all increased traffic above 2023 levels.

In addition, Aena is incentivising growth for its larger airports, with a special focus on promoting new connections to Asia and strengthening international travel links. This incentive scheme, running until 2027, adds further benefits for airlines looking to open new, underserved routes, which Aena hopes will also support regional economies and tourism across Spain.

For Murcia Airport and its fellow regional hubs, these financial incentives represent a vital boost in the ongoing effort to bring more in passengers, get airlines to add more destinations and help surpass pre-Covid passenger numbers.

Image: Aena