Alicante airport name argument

Elche battled for years for the addition of its name to Alicante airport.

The new terminal finally bears a sign proclaiming it to be Alicante-Elche Airport but Elche mayor Mercedes Alonso is not yet entirely satisfied.

She has now asked Aena to change the name on the old terminal from Alicante to Alicante-Elche. 

Spain’s airport authority has instead taken an easier and cheaper way out by removing the name entirely rather than amend the sign or pay for a new one.

Many people and some of the media continue to refer to El Altet but although this is the name of the Elche district where it is located, it was never the airport’s official name.

After repeated requests for the name change from a succession of Elche councils, Aena finally relented last summer.

The city hall requested local help to meet the cost of changing the airport signs and the necessary €24,000 was paid for by local businesses and families.