Aena to spend 1 million euro on Alicante airport VIP lounge

Aena is pushing forward with further improvements at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, launching a new tender for the supply of furniture and equipment for the reopening of the ‘Ifach’ VIP lounge in Alicante. The space has remained closed since a fire broke out in the terminal back in January 2020.

The new action involves a budget of over 1.2 million euro (specifically 1,206,684.60 euro, including taxes) for purchasing necessary equipment and furnishings. This represents nearly one-sixth of the total amount allocated to the hall’s overall renovation, based on the contract awarded to Acciona. The construction works contract was awarded last May for 6,161,696.61 euro in a tender starting from 7.1 million euro. Work is scheduled to begin on October 15th after being postponed to avoid the peak summer season, with completion expected by December 2027.

The new tender establishes a six-month deadline for delivering the furniture once work is finished. The restored VIP lounge will span a total area of 1,912.60 square metres, featuring 1,520.68 square metres of interior passenger space, 273.23 square metres for staff and service areas, and an outdoor terrace measuring 119.04 square metres. The reconstruction project incorporates showers, a lactation room, a meeting room, a video game room, a catering area with a bar, a reading area, and a children’s area.

The furniture supply tender details specific layouts, including a seating area with power outlets and USB chargers, restaurant-standard furniture for the catering area, high tables and stools with footrests for a work space, a video game screen, meeting room facilities with a digital whiteboard, a relaxation area, a wine bar, and a family area. The outdoor terrace will be equipped with chairs, armchairs, awnings, planters, wastebaskets, and ashtrays, alongside a reception and staff changing room area.

Aena is currently assessing whether the reopening of the Ifach lounge will be compatible with the continued operation of the temporary Costa Blanca lounge. Looking further ahead, the airport expansion project includes a massive budget under the third Airport Planning Document (DORA III) for 2027-2031, approved by the Council of Ministers this September, featuring a new boarding pier with its own VIP lounge for non-Schengen flights primarily connecting to the United Kingdom.

Both the Ministry of Transport and Aena have confirmed that the broader provincial terminal expansion project has a total budget of 1.154 billion euro, extending into DORA IV. Additionally, the rail connection linking the cities of Alicante and Elche via the Torrellano Bypass remains pending, with Phase 1 currently in its final drafting stage following a contract awarded to Geocontrol and Inse Rail.

These upcoming projects build on a series of improvements already completed or underway at the Alicante airport, totalling nearly 33 million euro. Key updates include a new aircraft taxiway, a dual boarding system with simultaneous front and rear access at ten additional gates, an airport management centre, and solar panel installations on parking lot roofs to reduce energy consumption.