Airlines are set to offer a record number of seats for the winter season from 26 October 2025 to 28 March 2026 at Spanish airports operated by Aena. According to data as of 31 August 2025, airlines have scheduled 2.1% more seats, marking a historic volume. This schedule may be subject to modifications by the airlines throughout the season.
Summer Performance
While final data for August is still being compiled and will be detailed soon, Aena reports that its network of airports in Spain concluded the main summer months (June, July, and August) without service incidents and with high levels of quality. This achievement is attributed to a series of enhanced measures put in place at the start of the season and the advance planning for summer reinforcements, which accounted for the anticipated rise in demand. Consequently, there has been a noticeable increase in overall passenger satisfaction, according to validated surveys.
Passenger and Operations Statistics
Between 1 June and 24 August, Aena’s Spanish airports managed over 89 million passengers, representing a 3.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, there were 722,637 operations, up by 3.8%, and total commercial cargo reached 306,817,234 kg, showing a 6.0% rise. Key markets continue to show an upward trend this summer, with the UK up by 3.6%, Germany by 0.4%, Italy by 7.0%, and France by 1.3%.
Operational Enhancements
The coordination measures implemented by Aena are tailored to the specific needs and traffic types of each airport, focusing on crucial aspects such as safety—particularly in passenger screening—public information services, cleanliness, and the operability of IT and electromechanical services (baggage handling, jet bridges, etc.), as well as coordination with airlines, tour operators, and ground handling companies.
Additional considerations include traffic regulation at access points and parking areas in collaboration with local police, taxi ranks, construction schedules to avoid interference with operations, and support for catering operators.
All these measures are carried out in collaboration with airlines, handling agents, commercial operators, and state security forces, alongside local police.
Competitive Pricing Model
The combination of high quality and record traffic is a result of an efficient airport model that offers airlines the most competitive rates in Europe. Airport tariffs will increase by €0.68 per passenger starting March 2026.
Aena’s Board of Directors approved airport tariffs for the 2026 financial year in July, setting a Maximum Annual Revenue per Passenger for the upcoming year at €11.03, pending review by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC). This represents an increase of €0.68 per passenger compared to 2025, of which €0.45 is attributed to unrecovered delays from 2024. Of the remaining €0.23, €0.17 results from the application of the index for updating airport tariffs, as declared applicable by the CNMC in its resolution dated 10 July 2025.
Investment Plans for the Future
Aena’s pricing model facilitates the necessary investments to accommodate future demand while maintaining high levels of quality and safety. Aena is finalising plans for the largest investment in airport infrastructure in the past two decades to ensure the facilities can continue to provide excellent quality amid projected demand increases.
It is important to note that Aena’s airport tariffs are exceptionally competitive and significantly lower than those of comparable European operators. Furthermore, these tariffs are not a substantial factor in the overall cost of airline tickets, with the €0.68 increase representing a minimal portion of the total price of holiday packages (flights, accommodation, tourist taxes, etc.).
