Delay in Málaga-Madrid AVE Triggers Concerns in Institutions and the Hotel Sector Ahead of Holy Week
The recent delay in the high-speed train service connecting Málaga to Madrid has raised alarms among local institutions and the hotel industry as they prepare for the imminent Holy Week.
The Hotel Business Association of the Costa del Sol (AEHCOS) and various local institutions express their worries regarding Adif’s announcement of delays in the reopening of the high-speed railway line connecting Málaga with Madrid and other destinations. As per the latest projections, direct service will not resume until at least the last week of April, extending a service interruption that has already exceeded six weeks.
The issue originated on February 4, when a landslide in Álora, caused by heavy rainfall, impacted a 300-meter containment structure and necessitated the suspension of traffic. Following technical inspections, Adif has concluded that the remaining structures do not meet safety standards, leading to ongoing closures while demolitions and reconstructions are underway.
The disruption is particularly impacting the tourism sector ahead of Holy Week, with demand expected to drop by around 26% in the province. Areas like the coastline are facing an 18% decrease, while inland regions and Málaga city itself could experience declines over 25% and 30%, respectively.
In this context, AEHCOS emphasizes the crucial need to restore railway connectivity as a strategic asset for both holiday and urban tourism and demands that infrastructures return to operational normalcy promptly, without compromising safety.
Moreover, local administrations are keen on finding a swift and reliable solution. The Marbella City Council has requested more transparency and additional resources to expedite timelines and restore connections, whereas the Government of Andalucía estimates economic damages could surpass 300 million euros, stressing the importance of finding alternatives to ensure the continuity of tourism activities.
The Mayor of Málaga has raised concerns over the reliability of timelines, highlighting the technical complexity of the required works and emphasizing the need for coordination across sectors to minimize the impact. Collectively, the priority is to accelerate the recovery of the single track in the initial stages and, in the medium term, complete the double track and final repairs, with a full resolution expected by the end of the year.
