Madrid-Málaga AVE set to return after months of disruption

Direct high-speed services resume Wednesday April 30, ending weeks of diversions and delays for travellers

After nearly three months of disruption, direct high-speed rail services between Málaga and Madrid are set to resume at 12.00pm on Thursday April 30, marking a significant step back to normality for one of Spain’s busiest routes.

The line has been out of action since early February, when heavy rain triggered a landslide near Álora, burying part of the track and forcing its closure. Since then, passengers have faced long diversions, with many journeys involving bus transfers to Antequera before continuing by train. The disruption, which began on February 4, quickly escalated into weeks of travel chaos for passengers relying on the route.

Now, the Railway Infrastructure Administrator (Adif) has confirmed that trains will once again run directly between the two cities, although only one of the two tracks will initially be in use. This means services will return, but with some limitations while work continues through the summer and beyond.

Transport Minister Óscar Puente has defended the time taken to restore the line, highlighting the scale of the operation. “It is difficult to grasp the magnitude of the work that has had to be undertaken in Álora,” he said, pointing to the extensive engineering required to stabilise the area and prevent further landslides.

The project has involved round-the-clock work, with teams operating in three daily shifts and moving around 200,000 tonnes of earth to secure the terrain. Earlier expectations that the line would reopen in March were repeatedly pushed back as the complexity of the repairs became clear.

In the meantime, only limited services were possible. Renfe maintained partial connections via Antequera, while other operators suspended routes entirely. The prolonged closure also raised concerns about the economic impact on the Costa del Sol, particularly as it coincided with the run-up to Easter.

With the reopening now confirmed, direct journeys will resume and the need for transfers will end, bringing more predictable travel times for passengers. While some delays are still expected due to the single-track operation, the return of the AVE marks the end of a prolonged period of uncertainty for travellers and businesses alike.

Image: wikicommons