El Altet, fifth busiest airport in Spain

Despite the global recession, which has entailed a crisis in tourism worldwide, the Alicante’s Airport, El Altet, has become the fifth busiest airport in Spain. The 944.278 passengers that passed through it in September have made it possible, rising the number of users to 7.631.758 for the first nine months of the year, 37.700 more than Las Palmas Airport, in the sixth place, according to Airport operator Aena.

Now, the increasing number of domestic and international flights launched in recent weeks by several companies is expected to keep this up-and-coming trend and even to get more passengers this winter.

Ryanair threats to leave its base in Valencia

Meanwhile, low fare airline Ryanair is threatening the regional government in Valencia to close its base at Manises Airport if the city’s tourism department doesn’t accept to give the company the same economic aid that it is giving to Valencia-based airline Air Nostrum. Ryanair has already extended twice the expiration date of the ultimatum to the council, so negotiations are still open.

In view of the situation, Clickair, the low fare airline belonging to Iberia, has announced that it will cover the Ryanair routes from and to Valencia if the Irish company leaves its base in Manises Airport once and for all.