Airport operator Aena announced on 12 June that 30.6 million passengers used Spanish airports in May, a 5 % increase on 2025. Traffic for the first five months of 2026 is up 3.7 %, indicating solid—if slightly slowing—growth ahead of the peak holiday season.
![Aena reports 30.6 million passengers in May, up 5 % year-on-year]()
For international travellers mapping out summer itineraries, VisaHQ can streamline the visa application process and clarify entry requirements for Spain and other Schengen destinations, helping passengers avoid last-minute snags as airport volumes climb. Its easy online portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) lets both holiday-makers and corporate travel departments track documents in real time and secure approvals before congestion peaks.
International arrivals remain the main driver, with British, German and US routes recovering strongly. Domestic traffic rose only 1 %, reflecting high-speed rail competition. Cargo volumes grew 4.2 % as near-shoring trends entice more suppliers to route goods through Iberian gateways. For mobility planners the figures suggest capacity constraints at major hubs could resurface this summer, especially if ongoing labour disputes spill over. Airlines are already tweaking schedules to avoid late-night curfews in Barcelona and Palma. Employers should therefore book peak-season tickets early and monitor slot-allocation updates from Aena. The data also bolster the case for regional airports such as Valencia and Bilbao, which posted double-digit growth and may offer more reliable punctuality.
For international travellers mapping out summer itineraries, VisaHQ can streamline the visa application process and clarify entry requirements for Spain and other Schengen destinations, helping passengers avoid last-minute snags as airport volumes climb. Its easy online portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) lets both holiday-makers and corporate travel departments track documents in real time and secure approvals before congestion peaks.
International arrivals remain the main driver, with British, German and US routes recovering strongly. Domestic traffic rose only 1 %, reflecting high-speed rail competition. Cargo volumes grew 4.2 % as near-shoring trends entice more suppliers to route goods through Iberian gateways. For mobility planners the figures suggest capacity constraints at major hubs could resurface this summer, especially if ongoing labour disputes spill over. Airlines are already tweaking schedules to avoid late-night curfews in Barcelona and Palma. Employers should therefore book peak-season tickets early and monitor slot-allocation updates from Aena. The data also bolster the case for regional airports such as Valencia and Bilbao, which posted double-digit growth and may offer more reliable punctuality.
