SPAIN lost a number of air passengers in 2023, exceeding pre-Covid pandemic levels.
Figures from the Aena operated network showed over 283 million people passed through their airports last year- 16% more than 2022 and 2.9% up on 2019 when the previous record of 275.2 million was reached.
Out of the total, 189.73 million travelled on international flights, which is 18% up on the previous year’s figures which were still deflated due to pandemic restrictions.
Nationally, there were 92. 66 million travelers, up 13% from 2022.
Aena president, Maurici Lucena said that the record figures are ‘fundamental for the economic and social development of Spain’.
“We all welcome it, adding the airlines that, like Aena, have suffered the harsh consequences of the pandemic and are now transporting more passengers than ever,” Lucena said.
Unsurprisingly, the country’s two largest airports dominated passenger numbers with 60. 2 million recorded at Madrid-Barajas (up 19% from 2022), followed by Barcelona, where almost 50 million were recorded last year (up 20% from last year).
Many airports recorded their most productive year on record, including Palma de Mallorca, with 31. 1 million passengers, 9% more than in 2022; Málaga-Costa del Sol, with 22. 3 million passengers – 21% more than in 2022 – and Alicante-Elche, with 15. 6 million passengers (19% more).
The record fell with Gran Canaria registering 13. 9 million passengers (12% more); Tenerife South, with 12. 3 million (14% more) and Valencia, with almost 10 million passengers, 22% more than last year.
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