Ryanair is poised to become the first airline to use a so-called ‘ ghost airport ’ on Spain ’ s eastern coast which has been ignored by other carriers . Spanish media said Europe ’ s largest budget airline will operate flights between Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport and destinations in Britain , Germany and Sweden . A Ryanair spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that an announcement will take place tomorrow . Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport has become a symbol of wasteful public spending and Spain 's debt . The spokesperson said : 'Ryanair does not comment upon or engage in rumour or speculation . However , I can confirm we are holding a press conference in Castellon tomorrow , 11th March . ' Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport has barely been used since it opened four years ago , and has become a symbol of reckless government spending and Spain ’ s debt . It was built at a cost of £130million and declared open in March 2011 , even though no airlines were signed on as tenants and it had not received government approval to operate . It received that approval late last year and since December it has been used for charter flights operated by Spanish football clubs Barcelona and Villarreal , but it has not welcomed any commercial flights . Citing unnamed sources , ABC said Ryanair will begin operating from the airport at the start of the Easter holiday season , and local officials are hoping the deal will bring more tourists to the region . The airport was heavily criticised for a 79-ft tall statue built next to the only runway at a cost of £200,000 . The airport ’ s operator , Canadian multinational SNC-Lavalin , has set a goal of 250 flights and 35,000 passengers in its first year , the newspaper said . Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport has been plagued with problems and the subject of fierce criticism since the day it was inaugurated in March 2011 . Officials were lambasted for a 79-ft tall statue built next to the terminal ’ s only runway at a cost of £200,000 , and for spending £25million on publicity even though the airport had failed to secure necessary permits required for air traffic . The airport was developed by provincial politician Carlos Fabra , who was jailed for tax fraud last year . Its airstrip was found to be too narrow for aeroplanes to turn around , meaning it had to be torn up and widened to meet industry regulations . While it was deserted and facing an uncertain future , there were suggestions that it be transformed into a race track for cars or a shopping mall . Located 60 miles north of Valencia , the airport was developed by Carlos Fabra , the former head of Castellon ’ s provincial government , who was jailed for tax fraud last year . The airport 's operators are have set a target of 250 flights and 35,000 passengers in its first year . The airport 's statue is said to be a representation of Fabra . It is found in a region already served by busy international airports in Valencia and Alicante , but SNC-Lavalin , which signed a 20-year , £20million deal to run the facility , predicts that it will host 450,000 passengers in 2019 . SNC-Lavalin said Castellon ’ s government will not make any money on the airport until it exceeds 1.2 million passengers a year , which isn ’ t expected until 2029 .
Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport has been empty since it opened in 2029 . Spanish media said Ryanair will operate flights starting this Easter . It will fly to Castellon from destinations in Britain , Germany and Sweden . Airport was built at a cost of £130million without government approval .