Seville airport breaks passenger records but transport links still lag behind
Government delays continue to hold back rail connections, even as a separate high-speed rail project is moving forward
San Pablo Airport in Seville has celebrated a record-breaking year, with over nine million passengers passing through its terminals in 2024. Yet, despite this surge in travellers, the airport remains one of Spain’s worst connected to its city centre, as calls for a long-promised railway link continue to go unanswered.Seville is one of the few major Spanish cities without a dedicated rail connection to its airport. Currently, the only public transport options available are the Tussam bus service, which is highly rated by users, and taxis. Other alternatives include VTC services, private cars and rental vehicles. Meanwhile, cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and even Jerez de la Frontera have established train connections, while Valencia benefits from a metro link.
Both the Seville City Council and the Junta de Andalucía regional government have repeatedly pressed for action from the central government. A feasibility study was completed two years ago, outlining three potential routes, with the preferred option being an extension of the C4 commuter line linking the airport to Santa Justa station.
However, the Spanish government dismissed this study and instead commissioned its own, at twice the cost, which was meant to be completed in 2024. No significant progress has been reported since, and when questioned, the Ministry of Transport has remained silent.
Instead, the government has just announced progress on a different rail project in the area. On Tuesday March 11, Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed via social media that the Council of Ministers has authorised a €35 million tender for the planning of five sections of the high-speed rail line between the provincial capitals of Seville and Huelva. Once completed, the 95.5 km route is expected to cut journey times between the two cities to just 25 minutes.
While this new high-speed project moves forward, frustration continues to mount over the lack of action on the Seville airport link. With over half of the airport’s passengers travelling internationally and commercial flights on the rise, the demand for better connections is only increasing. As the capital of Andalucía continues to grow as a tourist and business hub, many are questioning how much longer Seville will have to wait for a modern transport solution to match its expanding airport.
Image 1: Archive
Image 2: Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible/Adif
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