Spain Joins Brazil and the UK in Driving Aena Group’s Strong Performance in January 2026, Highlighting Continued Recovery and Growth in Passenger Traffic

Aena Group has kicked off 2026 with impressive results, driven by strong passenger growth across its airports in Spain, Brazil, and the UK. With a 3.3% increase in total passenger traffic, the group saw a total of 25,830,159 travellers in January 2026, marking continued recovery and expansion as global air travel remains on the rise. The results underscore Aena’s vital role in the aviation sector, with significant contributions from key markets within its diverse network.

Overall Performance Across Aena’s Network

Aena’s network spans 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, alongside 17 airports in Brazil and London Luton Airport. The combined total of 221,194 aircraft movements across Aena’s network represents a slight 0.7% decrease year on year. In contrast, the group saw an impressive 7.1% increase in freight volumes, totaling 115,876 tonnes, indicating strong demand in cargo operations as well.

While passenger growth continues to thrive, Aena has experienced a slight dip in aircraft movements across its network. This could be attributed to airline schedule adjustments or operational efficiency improvements rather than a reduction in travel demand.

Spain: Steady Growth Amid Slower Momentum

Within Spain, Aena’s airports handled 20,315,707 passengers, representing a 2.6% increase over January 2025. This growth, while positive, marks a slowdown compared to the 6.1% growth recorded between January 2024 and January 2025, suggesting the aviation market in Spain is beginning to stabilize after the post-pandemic surge in travel. The total aircraft movements in Spain were 173,431, which represents a 0.6% decrease, highlighting a trend of fewer flights operating, even as passenger traffic continues to rise.

Spain’s busiest airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, recorded the highest passenger volume in January, serving 5,379,569 passengers, a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat saw 3,806,895 passengers, marking a 3% increase. Other key Spanish airports such as Málaga-Costa del Sol (+5.1%) and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (+4.7%) also saw notable increases in passenger traffic. However, Tenerife Sur and Palma de Mallorca experienced declines of 1% and 3%, respectively, suggesting regional fluctuations within Spain’s tourism and travel patterns.

Aircraft Movements in Spain

When examining aircraft movements, Madrid-Barajas led with 34,658 operations, reflecting a 2.5% increase year on year. In contrast, Barcelona-El Prat recorded a slight 0.2% decrease, handling 24,537 movements. Other airports such as Gran Canaria (+1.5%) and Málaga-Costa del Sol (+3.9%) showed positive growth in aircraft operations, whereas Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife Sur experienced slight reductions in the number of flights, reflecting shifts in airline strategies or route adjustments.

Brazil: Continued Expansion and Strong Performance

Aena’s presence in Brazil has been another key driver of growth. The 17 Aena Brasil airports collectively saw 4,341,524 passengers, reflecting a 6.7% increase compared to January 2025. Despite this positive growth in passenger traffic, aircraft movements in Brazil decreased slightly by 1.2%, totaling 38,558 operations. This reduction could be due to factors such as flight schedule optimizations or changes in fleet sizes.

The ANB group of six airports in Brazil experienced a remarkable 7.7% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 1,773,560 passengers, with Recife Airport leading the charge with 1,015,692 passengers, a 7.1% rise. Meanwhile, the BOAB group of eleven airports reported a 5.9% growth in traffic, handling 2,567,964 passengers, driven largely by Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, which saw 2,198,305 passengers, reflecting a 7.2% increase compared to the previous year.

London Luton Airport: Maintaining Momentum

In the UK, London Luton Airport showed a 4% increase in passenger traffic, welcoming 1,172,928 passengers in January 2026. Aircraft movements at Luton were slightly up by 0.3%, totaling 9,205 flights. As one of the major airports in Aena’s portfolio, London Luton continues to serve as a vital hub for both domestic and international travel, especially to European destinations and beyond.

Freight Volumes Show Resilience

The group’s freight volumes also demonstrated strong growth, increasing by 7.1% to reach 115,876 tonnes in January 2026. This continued growth in cargo traffic highlights Aena’s vital role in supporting global trade and the continued expansion of air cargo networks. As the world economy recovers, air freight remains a critical service, and Aena’s robust infrastructure supports the efficient movement of goods.

2026 Outlook: Stability and Recovery

Looking ahead, Aena Group is on track to maintain positive momentum in passenger traffic across its global network, despite the slight declines in aircraft movements. The slowdown in growth compared to the previous year is a natural result of the aviation sector stabilizing after its rapid post-pandemic recovery. However, Aena’s extensive portfolio of airports in Spain, Brazil, and the UK provides a strong foundation for continued growth.

As air travel demand remains robust and freight volumes continue to rise, Aena is well-positioned to adapt to shifts in market dynamics and ensure that its airports remain integral to both passenger and cargo transportation.

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