Traffic and toll revenue for the beginning of the permitted year rose as the Alicante to Torrevieja and Cartagena corridor continued to recover from the pandemic downturn, regaining ground and surpassing 2019 billing levels. The concessionaire posted a profit for the second consecutive year, signaling renewed financial momentum.
Trade Registry records show Ausur generated nearly 14.4 million euros in revenue, a 21.7% year over year increase. This figure exceeds the 13.7 million euros posted in 2019 before the sharp fall in mobility caused by Covid restrictions. It also marks the third-best annual turnover in the company’s history, behind only 2007 when revenue reached 15.9 million and 2006 with 14.5 million.
Executives note that the results reflect the recovery of average traffic levels, with light vehicle volumes only 2% below pre-pandemic figures while truck traffic had already surpassed prior levels by roughly 4%, according to the management report accompanying the accounts. These gains align with the broader trend of traffic normalization observed on the motorway network across the region in the period following the health crisis.
Expropriations
Alongside rising user numbers, rate adjustments were approved for Ausur in 2022. The government authorized a 2.99% increase on state-controlled motorways, compared with 1.97% on other state-linked tolled corridors. The difference is explained by a government loan intended to offset higher expropriation costs; this loan requires the company to raise tolls by about 1% annually to service the debt. In practical terms, 2023 saw a toll increase of 9.46% for Ausur, which included 8.38% tied to consumer price inflation plus the additional 1% loan-related increment, while the net effect for the consumer was closer to 4% as part of inflation containment measures supported by the state. These dynamics reflect how policy actions and expropriation costs shape tollpayer bills within the broader inflation mitigation framework.
One toll plaza on the Ausur corridor is highlighted as a focal point of traffic flow in the regional network information presented by the ministry.
Beyond these adjustments, the company is pursuing cost-saving measures aimed at improving efficiency. The management report highlights the renewal of the wage system and the push toward greater automation, both designed to modernize compensation and to help control operating expenses without compromising service quality.
Alicante motorway reaches highest traffic volume in 14 years but still underutilized
Workforce changes accompanied the traffic recovery. The company expanded its staff by five positions, raising the average number of employees from 45 to 50, even as the total number of paid drivers declined from 23 to 21 in line with efficiency efforts. The company’s overall performance translated into a net profit of 2.896 million euros for the year, representing a substantial 20% return on revenue. While this marks a rebound from last year’s peak of 43.7 million euros, that exceptional figure reflected accounting arrangements tied to a shareholder loan forgiveness. The underlying trend, however, points to a steadier earnings trajectory as traffic normalizes.
Rescue avoided
The Alicante to Torrevieja to Cartagena toll road was awarded to Ausur in August 1998 with a 50-year concession. Spanning 76.6 kilometers, the route opened to traffic in 2001 and has undergone several updates since. The concessionaire faced a near-bankruptcy scenario in 2014 as traffic declines during the crisis weighed on finances, prompting a rescue when refinancing of debt totaling 196 million euros was secured. Since that intervention, performance has improved, supporting the current turnover trajectory and signaling resilience within the concession framework.
Record traffic in recent months has underscored the corridor’s importance. Ministry data show the Alicante to Torrevieja route recording elevated average daily traffic in the latest period, illustrating robust demand during peak seasons, including Easter and the summer months, and highlighting how tolls interact with seasonal travel patterns and regional mobility needs.
Monthly data continue to show positive momentum for the corridor, reinforcing expectations of stable revenue streams as traffic patterns normalize and expansion plans advance. These trends align with a broader recovery in regional mobility and the ongoing role of private concessions in maintaining and upgrading key transport infrastructure.
Notes: The figures cited reflect the latest available annual accounts and official traffic statistics published by national transport authorities, with attribution to the respective financial statements and regulatory updates.