One more reason to visit the Costa del Sol: The New State-of-the-Art Airport Terminal T-3
The sky under which Picasso grew up illuminated his palette and gave tonality to many of his works. The same sky, the famous light irradiating from Malaga, very close to the terminal that bears his name, is the main feature of the airport terminal T3 design, which started operating without incident. This is how its creator, architect Bruce Fairbanks, born in Syracuse, New York (USA), 47 years ago, explains it.
The opening of the terminal, led by Their Majesties the King and Queen and other local and national authorities, took place March 15th. This project, with an investment of close to 1.8 billion Euros, will make it possible to double its capacity and serve about 30 million passengers a year.
The 385,000 sq. meter terminal area of the new Costa del Sol airport boasts three road accesses (two by express highway) and two parking buildings with approximately 3,700 parking spots.
The 180 check-in counters (4 for special baggage), 48 boarding gates and 26 baggage claim carousel (1 for special baggage) at terminal T3 will allow the airport to efficiently serve up to 9,000 passengers per hour.
The transport interchange links the new terminal T3, the bus station, pedestrian access to the P1 and P2 parking lots and in the near future to the suburban train station. This transport hub is a key feature for passengers travelling in a group and ensures the airport's success, facilitating the connection of different transport modes and promoting global mobility and, thus, the growth of the airport.
As far as its commercial and leisure offerings are concerned, the 50 shops and meal service points that have been set up give Malaga Airport a more attractive character. The second biggest Duty Free shop in Europe, and the biggest in Spain, as well as the first National Geographic store in any airport worldwide, deserve special mention. La Moraga Restaurant, operated by the prestigious chef Dani Garcia stands out among the restaurant offerings.
For the VIP passenger, a very spacious and accessible area has been fitted out with modern and colourful furnishings and a nice artificial garden that provides a feeling of relaxation and coolness to the lounge.
Presently there are direct connections to over 140 cities worldwide, in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Poland, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Rumania, Saudi Arabia, Canada, USA and Morocco, among others.
The Malaga airport is a key infrastructure element for the Costa del Sol and it will be one of the main revitalizing factors of the regional economy. The effects that the airport's activity has on services transportation, trade, the hotel and catering industry and business services are worth mentioning.
| Initial situation | After the opening of the T3 | ||
| OPERATING CAPACITY |
Passengers/hour | 4500 | 9000 |
| Passengers/hour | 12 million | 30 million | |
| TERMINAL AREA | Area | 135000 m2 | 385000 m2 |
| Check-in counters | 92+2 for baggage |
176+4 for special baggage |
|
| Boarding gates | 28 | 48 | |
| Passenger loading bridges | 14 | 26 | |
| Remote | 14 | 22 | |
| Baggage claim carousel | 14 | 25+1 for special baggage |
|
| BAGGAGE | Baggage pieces/hour | 6500 | 14000 |
