Aena’s Airports in Spain See Over 32.1 Billion Passengers in August

Published on September 13, 2024

During the period from June 1 to August 31, 2024, the Aena network of airports in Spain achieved unprecedented passenger numbers, handling a total of 93,459,823 passengers. This figure represented an 8.5% increase compared to the same period the previous year. In addition to this passenger surge, Aena airports recorded 753,441 aircraft operations, marking a 7.9% rise from 2023. The volume of freight transported also saw significant growth, with 313,131 tonnes moved, up by 22.0%.

This summer has thus been marked as the most successful in Aena’s history in terms of passenger traffic, operational activity, and freight handling. The successful performance was notably supported by the absence of significant operational disruptions, which contributed to the smooth management of the high traffic volumes.

August 2024 Performance

In August 2024, Aena’s airports welcomed 32,116,068 passengers, which was 7.4% higher than in August 2023. The month also saw 254,137 aircraft movements, an increase of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Additionally, the cargo transported reached 104,435 tonnes, reflecting a 20.3% increase year-over-year.

Among the passengers in August, 32,045,304 were commercial travelers. Out of this, 22,561,824 were on international flights, a 9.6% rise from the previous year, while 9,483,480 were domestic travelers, showing a 2.7% increase. By the end of August, a total of 208,167,961 passengers had traveled through Aena airports in 2024, representing a 10.1% increase from 2023. The number of aircraft movements totaled 1,737,210, up by 8%, and the cargo transported amounted to 815,874 tonnes, a 19.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Spotlight on Airport Milestones: Unprecedented Records Achieved Across Aena’s Network

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport emerged as the busiest in August 2024, recording 6,071,313 passengers, which marked a 9.2% increase from the previous year. Following closely was Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat with 5,415,504 passengers, an 8.9% increase, and Palma de Mallorca with 4,591,163 passengers, up by 5%. Other notable airports included Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Valencia, and Tenerife Sur, each showing significant year-over-year increases.

Additionally, records for passenger numbers in August were set at eight airports: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, Ibiza, César Manrique-Lanzarote, Valencia, Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna, Menorca, El Hierro, and Son Bonet. Furthermore, a record for August passenger numbers was also established at several other airports, including Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Palma de Mallorca, and others.

Operations and Traffic

In terms of aircraft operations for August 2024, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas led with 36,614 movements, up by 8.3% from 2023. It was followed by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat with 32,120 operations, a 7.6% increase, and Palma de Mallorca with 30,914 movements, up by 5.8%. Málaga-Costa del Sol, Ibiza, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, and Gran Canaria also saw increased operational traffic.

August 2024 was recorded as the busiest month in the history of the network for fourteen airports, including Palma de Mallorca, Málaga-Costa del Sol, and others. Absolute records for aircraft movements were achieved at Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna, Logroño, and El Hierro.

Global Implications and Industry Trends: Aena’s Record-Breaking Summer Sets New Standards for Airport Efficiency

The remarkable performance of Aena’s airports during the summer of 2024 underscores a robust recovery and growth in the aviation sector. The substantial increases in passenger traffic, operations, and freight handling highlight a significant rebound from previous downturns, reflecting strong demand for air travel and effective management of airport resources.

This record-breaking summer is likely to influence global travel trends by demonstrating the capacity for large-scale, efficient airport operations amidst high volumes. For travelers, this indicates improved connectivity and expanded flight options across Spain and beyond. The growth in freight handling also suggests a thriving global trade environment, with enhanced logistics capabilities supporting international commerce.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, Aena’s achievements set a benchmark for other global airports, emphasizing the importance of operational efficiency and capacity management in handling increasing travel demands.

Aena’s airports in Spain achieved record-breaking passenger numbers and operations during Summer 2024, showcasing significant growth and efficiency, impacting global travel trends positively.