The airports managed by Aena in Spain, Brazil, and the United Kingdom handled a combined 34.5 million passengers in May, representing a 3.8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. Of that total, 29.2 million passengers were processed at facilities located on the Iberian Peninsula, reflecting a 3.3% year-over-year growth.

According to data released by the airport operator, global air traffic reached 297,321 aircraft movements, with 247,288 occurring in Spain—a 3.9% rise compared to May of the previous year. Meanwhile, cargo volume across Spanish airports totaled 126,911 metric tons, marking a 4.8% annual increase.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport led in passenger volume with 5.7 million travelers (+1%), followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 5.17 million (+3.7%), and Palma de Mallorca, which handled 3.82 million passengers, though it posted a slight decline of 0.5%. Airports showing the strongest growth included Málaga-Costa del Sol (+8.7%) and Valencia (+7.2%).

In May, Seville Airport recorded its highest passenger traffic in history, while 23 airports in the network set new May records, including Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, and Tenerife South.

In terms of operations, Madrid-Barajas also led with 36,641 flights (+0.8%), followed by Barcelona-El Prat (33,131, +4.9%) and Palma de Mallorca (27,190, +0.3%). In total, 18 airports posted their highest-ever operational volumes for the month of May.

As for cargo, Madrid-Barajas processed 69,335 metric tons, a 9.5% increase and the highest volume ever recorded in May at the airport. It was followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 17,457 tons (+10.5%), also a monthly record for that facility.

From January to May, Spanish airports under Aena’s management handled 120.1 million passengers, a 4.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In Brazil, the 17 airports operated by Aena served 3.65 million passengers in May, up 8.5% year-over-year, though aircraft movements fell by 4%. Congonhas Airport in São Paulo led the way with 1.97 million passengers (+9.2%).

Cargo transport in Brazil also saw significant growth, reaching 10,692 metric tons, up 17.1% compared to May 2024. Congonhas handled 42% of the national total.

At London Luton Airport, also operated by Aena, 1.6 million passengers were recorded in May (+3.1%), while cargo traffic declined by 9.5% year-over-year.

Overall, Aena managed 145.1 million passengers globally from January to May 2025, a 4.9% increase compared to the same five-month period in 2024.

Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES