Spanish airport passenger traffic growth

Spanish airports are experiencing a period of significant growth in international passenger traffic, even as specific sectors face operational difficulties.

At Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, passenger numbers rose by 4.4% between January and August 2026, with over 47 million travelers. This growth is supported by an expanded international network, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the airport has simultaneously faced a 10% decline in air cargo volumes as of July, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and new EU customs regulations, such as the G4 procedure and new tariffs on low-value shipments.

Broadening the scope to the national level, international travelers in Catalonia increased by 3.1% in September. Barcelona-El Prat has emerged as the second busiest international airport in Spain, following Madrid-Barajas. This regional growth is largely attributed to low-cost carriers, which saw a 7.3% increase in passengers. Additionally, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport reported an 11.13% increase in travelers during the summer season, positioning it among the busiest airports in the country.