The Costa del Sol could be set to receive a larger number of Irish visitors this year, after one the country’s major airlines announced details of a new flight to Malaga.

As part of its expansion into Europe, Aer Arann will offer a twice-weekly service to the southern Spanish airport, flying from its base on the west coast at Galway and also the airport at Waterford, located in the south-east of the country.

Primarily a provider of domestic and regional flights, Aer Arann is beginning to offer European routes as the result of a franchise deal with Nex Aviation. The new flights will be available from May 1st.

Managing director of Aer Arann Gary Cullen said that the new service will “provide greater choice and easier access to continental Europe for our customers in the west and south-east of Ireland”.

A 100-seater aircraft will be used for the Malaga route, with flights currently priced at €90 (£68).

Ryanair, another Irish carrier, recently announced details of new flights to Malaga and Murcia from Bournemouth Airport on the south coast of England.

Figures from the latest census in Spain have revealed that the population of Malaga province is expanding rapidly, with a growing number of people attracted to life in the area.

According to Homes Worldwide, over one and a half million people were registered as living in Malaga at the start of 2007, with an additional 26,236 joining the census by the beginning of 2008.

Malaga city has acquired 619 new inhabitants since the last survey, with 37 per cent of the province’s population now residing in the coastal resort.

The small mountain town of Macharaviaya was found to be the fastest-expanding area, however, with 111 new residents meaning a growth rate of 22.3 per cent.

In addition, the towns of Salares and Benahavis saw population increases of 16.2 per cent and 12 per cent respectively, southern Spanish newspaper Sur reports.

Homes Worldwide stated that the influx of people to the city of Malaga and its surrounding areas is a result of “great infrastructure and facilities”, with the city recently benefiting from the new high-speed rail link with Madrid and more transport improvements planned for the near future.

An innovative new cancer treatment centre is set to be built in Valencia, it has emerged.

The 120 million euros development involves the installation of a proton accelerator system “the size of a football field” and will put the city at the forefront of advanced cancer treatment in Spain, Costa Blanca News reports.

Based at Valencia University, the centre should be completed by 2012 and will provide treatment for approximately 2,000 patients each year, with 200 research scientists employed at the site.

Described as helping to bring about a “cancer treatment revolution” in Europe by Costa Blanca News, the proton accelerator is an advanced form of radio therapy which can destroy cancerous cells without harming healthy tissue in the same area of the body.

A combination of funds from the European Union, Spanish government and local Valencian authority will pay for the centre.

Homes Worldwide recently predicted that Valencia will be one of the most popular areas for property buyers in 2008, partly due to the arrival of the new Formula One track this summer.

The Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca are the two most popular coastal locations in Spain, according to new research.

A report on last year’s market trends from Spanish property information website Kyero.com states that the two southern areas were the ‘hottest costas’ in 2007, with the Costa del Sol in particular benefiting from improved transport networks.

In addition, Malaga, Alicante and Valencia were all included in the top five ‘hottest provinces’, while Andalusia was named the most popular region.

Speaking about the wide variety of buyers and the increased accessibility of property in Spain, Kyero.com stated: “Visitors showed interest in the whole range of property, whether they are on the coast or inland, cheap or expensive, ready to move in or completely uninhabitable.

“However, one thing all these popular properties share is that they’re within 100 miles of an international airport.”

According to the report, foreign buyers spent 16 billion euros (£11.9 billion) on Spanish property during 2007, representing ten per cent of the overall market.

Foreign Currency Direct recently stated that British buyers are “still in love” with owning a property on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.

A Spanish news provider has claimed that Malaga’s tourism industry is set to enjoy a large boost as a result of two major new transport developments.

While already one of the Costa del Sol’s busiest tourist centres due to its airport, Malaga is now equipped to welcome travellers of other kinds thanks to its new high-speed rail link and maritime station, Sur reports.

Launched at the end of December, the AVE rail service provides a high-speed connection between Malaga and the Spanish capital Madrid, cutting the journey time from over four hours to just two hours 30 minutes.

The speed of the new train, which can reach 350 kilometres per hour, is “dizzyingly impressive” according to Sur, with the AVE described by the newspaper as “a train which the tourism industry can’t afford to miss”.

In addition, the recently inaugurated maritime station will bring more visitors to Malaga by providing a place for cruise ships and other boats to dock. Sur predicts that travel companies will begin to “see the capital of the Costa del Sol as a starting and finishing point for new cruise itineraries”.

“All the statistical forecasts predict that these two new elements of infrastructure will greatly increase the numbers of visitors,” the newspaper concludes.

The exciting development of the Valencia region is set to continue unabated, with the local government unveiling a new homebuilding initiative for the area.

Regional planning and environment chief Jose Ramon Garcia Anton has revealed plans to build new subsidised properties in the area, which will be available at below-market prices for lower earners.

According to Costa Blanca News, the official has received the backing of nine councils in the region to free up 2.2 million square metres of land for construction. About 14,300 ‘public protected’ homes are expected to be built in this area.

In addition, Garcia Anton told a meeting in Alicante province this week that a new study of the demand for subsidised housing in Alicante, Castellon and Valencia will be completed in January.

He said: “This will allow us to know the housing necessities and the exact situation of offer and demand for each municipality.

“In this way, the town halls and the regional government can accurately allocate land for building to satisfy the demand which exists.”

With the region already boasting a large expat community and much top-end property, the new housing would help to strengthen the infrastructure of the Valencia region.

A new inland road route for the Costa Blanca, which would take the strain off coastal highways, was recently proposed by the regional government in Callosa.

The majority of British people continue to view Spain as their holiday destination of choice, a new report has stated.

With airport expansion and the availability of low-cost flights making the country more accessible and cheaper to get to all the time, Spain appears to have cemented its position as the top location for Brits to relax abroad, Homes Worldwide reports.

As Spanish property continues to hold British interest, the number of so-called mixed use investors attracted to the country appears to be rising, according to Ross Elder, managing director of Holiday Lettings.

He said: “Mixed use investors seek lifestyle improvements and spend time in their chosen location when they can - the rest of the time they rent their property out to holidaymakers.”

Speaking about the country’s general position in the overseas property market, Mr Elder also stated: “Spain is a prime example of the growth of low-cost carriers, easy access from the UK and confident tourists.”

A growing number of people from around the world are choosing to spend the festive period in Spain, according to new research.

The study by Co-operative Travel shows that an Iberian Christmas is particularly popular among Britons, with the majority of people favouring Spain over any other destination for their December holidays.

With temperatures reaching up to 17 degrees C on the Costa del Sol over Christmas, the warm climate is one the principal attractions for British people heading to Spain at this time of year, Homes Worldwide reports. Of course, the country’s top ski resorts also draw a large number of winter holidaymakers from the UK and further afield.

Managing director of Kyero.com Martin Dell told the website: “The festive period in Spain is thoroughly enjoyable - the emphasis is on spending time with friends and family.

“We have seen more and more people choosing to spend their Christmas at their second home in Spain, making good use of the property year round.”

Heavy snowfall at Sierra Nevada resorts earlier this month has suggested that this year will bring a long and booming ski season to Spain.