President of the autonomous employers’ association CEV, Salvador Navarro, underscored on Tuesday the scale of the Valencia Community’s infrastructure deficit. He explained that the troubles in the Valencian Community, with Alicante at the center, are not solely the result of Madrid’s autonomy gaps. Internal decisions at times stalled crucial projects as well. He pointed to the second runway at El Altet as an example, noting that its progression was halted by a prior regional government’s decision on environmental grounds.
This context emerged during his participation at the Alicante Forum. The event, organized by INFORMACIÓN Club, CEV, the University of Alicante, Baleària, Eiffage, and Carmencita, took place at El Maestral restaurant. While Navarro touched on this history in his opening remarks, a participant in the colloquium asked whether the second runway could soon become a reality, given recent discussions.
Navarro expressed strong confidence, stating that the previous regional administration bears responsibility for the delays in the project. He asserted that the region’s government blocked the airport’s expansion for environmental considerations and warned against repeating past mistakes.
In this context, the CEV president highlighted that the El Altet site has surpassed the milestone of 15 million annual passengers, reinforcing the case for a second runway as a rational and necessary improvement. When there had been no fresh news, the association argued for progress and, for a period, held meetings with Aena, the entity responsible for Spain’s airports. Aena had drafted a new master plan for El Altet that included the planned expansion.
Additionally, Navarro noted that a plan had been sent to two ministries from the previous government, specifically the Infrastructure and Environment ministries. Infrastructure responded positively, while the Environment ministry reacted with unexpected resistance. This dissonance, he recalled, was learned during a subsequent meeting with the relevant authorities.
CEV advocates debt forgiveness tied to financing gaps
Navarro acknowledged that Aena showed interest in the project because, as a manager, its priority is revenue; nevertheless, the draft for a new master plan was prepared and could be presented in a short timeframe if political will aligned with technical readiness.
Mediterranean Corridor
Beyond aviation, Navarro addressed the broader transport strategy, including the Torrellano variant that would connect Alicante and Elche to the airport. He emphasised the need for clearer communication about approaches and mentioned the possibility that the rail infrastructure manager electrify the existing coastline near the San Gabriel neighborhood of Alicante. Local residents had protested the rail line, underscoring the importance of balancing mobility improvements with community expectations.
Tourism prospects for Alicante-Elche Airport
Looking ahead, Navarro projected a recovery to pre-pandemic tourism levels, estimating a sustained return as passenger volumes rise toward 1.8 million. He spoke about shortening delivery timelines for projects while recognizing that the variant would require a compatible layout and implementation plan. He advocated for advancing the Mediterranean Corridor with Adif’s involvement to boost competitiveness in the region, stressing that any electrification of the coastal rail line and related road work should align with the momentum of progress. The discussion also touched on the planned train parking area adjacent to Casa Mediterráneo, acknowledging local concerns but framing the development as a step toward improved connectivity and mobility for travelers and residents alike.