Aena’s global operations grow 8.5% in 2024 with record-breaking Spanish airports

The airports managed by Aena Group ended 2024 with a total of 369,444,029 passengers, representing an 8.5% growth compared to the previous year, according to the company. The total includes operations in Spain, Brazil, and London Luton Airport. Additionally, the group handled 3,203,747 aircraft movements (+7.1%) and 1,421,640 tons of cargo (+18.1%).

Spain leads the growth

In Spain, Aena’s airports received 309.3 million passengers in 2024, an increase of 9.2% compared to 2023. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport was the busiest, with 66.2 million passengers (+9.9%), followed by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, with 55 million (+10.3%), and Palma de Mallorca, with 33.3 million (+7%).

According to Aena, 21 airports in its Spanish network achieved record passenger numbers during the year. These include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, Gran Canaria, Tenerife South, Valencia, Seville, César Manrique-Lanzarote, and others.

Regarding operations, Madrid-Barajas also led with 420,182 movements (+8%), followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 347,977 flights (+9.1%), and Palma de Mallorca, which recorded 243,200 operations (+6.2%).

Cargo activity also reached historic levels, with Spanish airports managing 1,280,169 tons (+18.6%). Madrid-Barajas was the main logistics hub, handling 766,818 tons (+19.2%), followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 181,688 tons (+16.1%).

Plans for future investments

Aena has outlined plans to ensure its infrastructure meets future demand. These measures, part of the Airport Regulation Document (DORA) 2027-2031, will involve collaboration with airlines, local authorities, and economic sectors. The company highlights that these investments will focus on ensuring sustainable growth, both economically and environmentally, to contribute to regional development.

International operations

Aena’s 17 airports in Brazil recorded 43.3 million passengers, marking a 5.6% increase from 2023. Aircraft movements totaled 480,914 (+5%), while 110,804 tons of cargo were managed (+12.9%).

Recife Airport was the busiest among the ANB Block, handling 9.6 million passengers (+6.1%) and 91,314 flights (+8%). It also managed 48,175 tons of cargo, a 9% increase compared to 2023. Other key airports in the ANB Block include Maceió-AL, Aracaju-SE, and João Pessoa-PB.

In the Bloco dos Onze, Congonhas Airport in São Paulo led with 23.1 million passengers (+4.5%). It also managed 234,538 flights (+1.6%) and 42,574 tons of cargo (+17.2%).

At London-Luton, Aena handled 16.7 million passengers (+3.3%). However, cargo transport dropped 17.8%, with 30,666 tons managed.