Malaga Airports boosts the economy.

INCOME generated by Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport represents 27 per cent of the economy of Malaga Province.

Regionally, the impact of the airport accounts for 5.5 per cent of Andalucia’s economy. This was revealed in a study carried out by the regional government, according to Junta de Andalucia Delegate in Malaga, Remedios Martel.

She made the announcement on the same day (Tuesday) Spanish workers unions called off the two days of strike action planned this month following airport authority AENA’s decision to reinstate four workers at Barcelona airport.

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport employs 7,000 people and provides a further 50,000 indirect jobs, she said.

The regional government estimates a further 200,000 jobs in related industries in the region – such as tourism – can be attributed to the airport.

Around 80 per cent of tourists visiting Andalucia arrive at Malaga Airport. Official estimates expect 13 million passengers will use the airport this year. Martel referred to the airport as the “gateway to the south of Europe thanks to an investment of €1.4 billion from the central government over the past years”.

Meanwhile, Malaga Provincial Tourism Minister, Antonio Souviron, said he expects a bumper summer in the region. “Everything indicates that 2011 will be better than last year: average stays, hotel figures, average spends, and number of visitors,” he said.

He said June 2011 produced the best tourism figures in history, even better than before the recession.