Leaving a vehicle at an airport car park can be a source of stress if the business operates without proper paperwork. Around Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport, numerous car parks compete on price, but a significant number have been operating without the correct permissions.
Elche Town Council has closed down three unlicensed parking lots near the airport this summer. At the end of June, the local authority shut a 20,000-square-metre site in Torrellano that was housing around 500 vehicles without an opening licence. A third site was closed by the end of July, bringing the combined capacity of the three sealed premises to over 4,500 cars. The council has identified more than 110 sites across the municipality, carried out 81 inspections, and announced further closures in the coming weeks following legal backing from the courts.
An opening licence certifies that an establishment meets all safety, access, fire protection, and planning requirements set by the council. Operating without a licence makes an establishment illegal in administrative terms, meaning the local council can order its closure and seal the premises at any point.
Under Law 40/2002 regulating vehicle parking contracts, a car park operator must provide a receipt identifying the vehicle, return the car in the state it was delivered, and accept liability for any damages. However, enforcing these legal protections requires a registered, licensed company.
If a vehicle suffers damage at an unlicensed lot, there is often no official receipt or traceable company to claim against. Insurance policies may also refuse coverage if the business lacks a proper licence. In cases of theft, recovering funds from an illegal operation proves extremely difficult. Furthermore, if a site is sealed by authorities while the owner is abroad, retrieving the vehicle becomes a complicated administrative procedure.
Before booking a car park, motorists are advised to make five checks:
- Ask for the opening licence number and verify it with the local council.
- Ensure there is a registered company with a physical address and a landline phone number rather than just a mobile number.
- Demand an official receipt identifying the vehicle and noting whether keys were handed over.
- Inspect the premises for proper fencing, security cameras, staff, and clear key procedures.
- Read recent customer reviews to check for reported issues.
Elche Town Council plans to continue its inspection campaign over the coming months, which includes reviewing thirty provisional licences granted in 2005.
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