A growing number of European people are choosing to access southern Spain by flying to Malaga, according to new figures.

Data released by the Spanish airports authority Aena shows that overall passenger numbers at the Costa del Sol hub increased by 3.9 per cent last year, with the largest number of arrivals coming from the UK.

This means that over 13.5 million passengers flew to Malaga in 2007, with the airport serving more than 2.5 million British travellers over the course of the year, Typically Spanish reports.

According to the figures, an increasing number of German, French and Irish passengers also entered Spain through Malaga Airport during 2007.

Last week, the website reported that work on a new road to relive traffic congestion around the airport has begun in Malaga. The €36 million (£26.74 million) project is expected to take two years to complete but will significantly improve access for travellers as the airport continues to increase in popularity.

Tags: Costa del Sol, Malaga, Spain