A Residence for Future Pilots and Four New Hangars: The Ambitious Growth Plan for Mutxamel Aerodrome

With an enviable climate and an average of nearly 350 sunny days a year, Alicante is a favourite destination not only for tourists but also for many economic activities. This is the case with the Mutxamel aerodrome, a unique location in Spain that has been operational in the province since 1981. Just 15 minutes from Benidorm and 10 from Alicante, the aeronautical space covers 200,000 square metres and boasts a leading pilot school: European Flyers.

The aerodrome also hosts several companies, such as the helicopter operator Avincis, Pegasus, and Roeder Ibérica, among others. With 10,000 annual operations, it offers customs area, refuelling, and a platform of 35,000 square metres.

The managing company of the Mutxamel aerodrome, led by Luis Miñano, who is also the general director of European Flyers, has designed a significant expansion plan for the coming years, culminating in more hangars and a social area that will include a student residence, as well as training areas for security forces professionals.

The Mutxamel aerodrome boasts a tertiary land area of 25,000 m2. "Not only do we have the urban planning category of our aeronautical infrastructure fully defined and authorised, but also a 25,000 square metre area classified as tertiary land," Miñano explains to TodoAlicante.

The idea, despite not having concrete timelines, is to expand the aerodrome in the coming years, with the horizon set for 2030. With one hangar under construction and three more planned, the aeronautical space will feature a more social area "with public-facing areas that are not restricted," assures the aerodrome manager.

The Alicante businessman and pilot details that the project will include a student residence, aimed at future pilots training at the European Flyers school. This area will also have more facilities, such as a football field and sports facilities, as well as a restaurant.

"The idea is to create a student residence and social areas open to the public," explains Miñano, who also mentions plans to develop a green area. This social area will include space for a flight simulator, as well as simulators and specific areas for joint training with security forces and rescue tasks.

The aerodrome director avoids giving timelines, although he is pleased with the work they have been doing to continue advancing the aerodrome. "This started in '81, but the category it holds as an aerodrome is unique in Spain," Miñano states, adding that "we are doing things as we have the business plan justified; we cannot develop the entire plan until we have defined viability, but it is working."

Miñano highlights the unique characteristics of this aeronautical enclave close to the beach and towns like Alicante or Benidorm. "You are within an urban area, with a nearby golf course..." the owner expresses about the peculiarities of this enclave.

Moreover, the services offered stand out. "We have everything coordinated so that light aviation that requires it does not have to go through the airport," Miñano explains, listing some of the services such as customs, police security checks, or refuelling area. "For example, just a few days ago, we were the base for a rally that went from Toulouse to Tangier," he notes.