Málaga Airport strengthens its connections with the Middle East

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport continues to expand its international route map and is increasingly looking towards the Middle East. The addition of new direct routes to Gulf destinations reinforces the airport’s role as a strategic hub for tourism, business travel and the arrival of high-value visitors to the Costa del Sol.

One of the latest major developments has been the launch of Riyadh Air’s connection between Riyadh and Málaga. The Saudi airline is operating three weekly flights during the summer season, scheduled until 8 September, using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

More connections with the Gulf

The new route adds to an air network that already links Málaga with several points in the Middle East through airlines such as Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Saudia and Arkia.

These direct connections allow the Costa del Sol to connect with markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel, while also making onward travel to Asia and other international destinations easier.

The growth of this segment is especially significant for Málaga, as it strengthens the arrival of tourists with higher spending power, business travellers and investors interested in the province.

Málaga, an attractive destination for long-haul travellers

The focus on the Middle East fits with the recent evolution of Málaga airport, which closed the first half of 2026 with 13.2 million passengers and almost 91,400 operations, according to Aena figures.

Air connectivity has become one of the Costa del Sol’s main tourism assets. In addition to its traditional strength in European markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands, Málaga is gaining prominence in long-haul routes and intercontinental markets.

The interest shown by Gulf airlines also reflects Málaga’s appeal as a holiday, cultural and residential destination. The city and province combine climate, hotels, gastronomy, shopping, golf, luxury tourism, conferences and easy connections with other parts of Andalusia.

Impact on the city and the Costa del Sol

The increase in flights from the Middle East does not only benefit the airport. It also has an impact on hotels, restaurants, shops, tourism companies, transport services and activities linked to premium travel.

Recent studies on visitors from the United States and the Middle East show that Málaga city is the main accommodation base for travellers arriving on direct flights to the province. The city stands out for its gastronomy, cultural offer, hospitality and ease of movement during a stay.

With this evolution, Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport reinforces its position as a key infrastructure for the internationalisation of the destination and for the diversification of tourism markets throughout the year.

The information comes from the article published by La Opinión de Málaga, official Aena figures on Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport’s first-half results and official tourism information from Visita Málaga about the expansion of direct connections with the Middle East and the United States.