Aena launches €29.25 million tender to renew Almeria Airport runway with LED lighting

Aena has opened a €29.25 million tender to refurbish the runway at Almeria Airport, covering both a full pavement replacement and an upgrade of the airfield lighting to LED technology.

As reported by Aviacionline, the plan includes a six-day suspension of flight operations in February 2028, when the most intensive pavement rehabilitation and rebuilding works will be carried out.

Tender and programme for Almeria Airport runway renewal

According to the airport operator, the construction phase is expected to run for around 19 months. The scheme sits within the Airport Regulation Plan (DORA III), which will allocate €9.991 billion to Spain’s airport network between 2027 and 2031 to maintain operational safety standards.

To reduce disruption, most activity will be scheduled overnight, between 22:45 and 07:10. Even so, the deep remediation stage will require a complete shutdown of air operations for six days in the second half of February 2028.

Pavement works and runway 25 approach infrastructure

The scope includes milling away the existing pavement layers and laying new surfaces on the runway and the taxiways that connect it to the apron. The runway strip will be relevelled, and the approach lighting masts at the runway 25 end will be replaced. The last comparable runway refurbishment in Almeria took place in 2007.

During the six-day closure, teams will excavate to a depth of 1.45 metres to strengthen the lower layers, then place the new asphalt on a 24-hour working pattern. Aena has already notified airlines so they can rearrange their operations.

LED airfield lighting upgrade

The aeronautical lighting system will be fully converted to LED, involving the replacement of more than 600 light fittings and 34 guidance signs across the movement area. The works also include installing new ducting, cabling and regulators.

Sustainability targets and BREEAM certification

The project has been designed in line with the BREEAM method, an international sustainability assessment framework for infrastructure. Once completed, Almeria Airport’s runway is set to become the first in the European Union to obtain this certification, incorporating circular-economy practices, reuse of materials and improved energy efficiency.