Torre del Mar Air Show draws 300,000 visitors as September delivers summer-level tourism

More than 300,000 people have helped turn Torre del Mar into one of Malaga Province’s biggest tourist attractions once again, with the International Air Show bringing huge crowds to the Costa del Sol town over the weekend.

Torre del Mar packed out for Air Show

Torre del Mar recorded near-full occupancy throughout the weekend as visitors arrived for the 2026 edition of the International Air Festival, according to Velez-Malaga Town Hall.

Crowds came out for training flights, the spectacular Sunset Air Show and Sunday’s main aerial display, giving the town an unusually busy start to September.

This year’s event featured more than 33 aircraft and 18 display units, bringing together prominent names from both civil and military aviation. For local businesses, however, the spectacle in the sky has also become an important event on the ground.

Air Show brings millions to local economy

According to the council, recent editions of the Torre del Mar Air Show have attracted more than 300,000 visitors and generated an economic impact of over €5 million. Hotels, tourist apartments, restaurants, beach bars, shops and other businesses across Torre del Mar and the wider Velez-Malaga municipality all benefit from the influx of visitors.

Council representatives say the figures demonstrate that September can continue to perform like a peak tourism month, rather than seeing visitor numbers drop sharply once August comes to an end. Torre del Mar’s Air Show has therefore become an important part of the town’s strategy to extend the tourist season.

September still a busy month

Officials also used the latest results to defend the festival following criticism from some political groups in Velez-Malaga. “The public has once again proved us right,” council representatives said, arguing that the event has demonstrated its ability to attract visitors after the traditional summer holiday period.

They added that the festival is much more than an aviation spectacle, describing it as a way to promote Torre del Mar, generate business and support employment. Spain’s official tourism website describes Torre del Mar as a major Costa del Sol tourist centre, with four kilometres of beaches and a popular seafront.

Torre del Mar looks beyond August

More than a decade after the first editions, the International Air Show has become one of Torre del Mar’s best-known annual events. Council officials say they intend to continue developing the festival and using major events to attract visitors outside the traditional summer period.

For Torre del Mar, the message from this year’s crowds is clear: the holiday season does not necessarily finish when August does.