Malaga T3 opens for business

The new EUR409 million (USD562.6 million) Terminal 3 at Malaga Airport entered operational service on 16 March, the day after its official opening.

Testing of new systems at the terminal, serving the biggest city on Spain's south coast and the important beach resort area of the Costa del Sol, began in December 2009.

A total of 3,000 people from 16,000 applicants were involved in more than 20 trials of different procedures. "It's all gone stupendously well," an airport spokeswoman told Jane's .

The steel and glass building, designed by architect Bruce S Fairbanks to make the most of the Mediterranean light, can handle up to 9,000 passengers an hour.

Terminal 3 opened in time for what will be its first big test, Spain's traditional holiday week leading up to Easter Sunday on 4 April.