AGP to handle international emergencies

Malaga Airport and its Cruise Port have been designated as able to handle international public health emergencies, due to its strategic location and because of the amount of international traffic handled.

Jorge Hernández Mollar, sub-delegate of the central government in Malaga asserted that this recognition is due to the skill of the public health care workers there.

The Cabinet approved an agreement by which eight cruise ports and five airports in Spain are designated as entry points with the ability to handle public health emergencies of international importance.

In addition to Malaga, other airports have been chosen: Barcelona El Prat, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Madrid-Barajas and Palma de Mallorca. The seaports include Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Valencia and Vigo.

The volume of international traffic, strategic position, ability to respond to health care issues, and activity regarding health incidents during the last few years were all factors taken into account. The ability to transfer between Malaga airport and cruise port in a short time is also a factor.