Spain’s state rail operator Renfe announced on 9 December that it scheduled almost two million seats on high-speed, long-distance, Avant and regional services between 4 and 9 December to cope with heavy demand during the Constitution and Immaculate Conception holidays. The biggest boost—about 668 000 seats—went to AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity services, with the Madrid–Barcelona corridor alone offering more than 120 000 places.
Routes from Madrid to Valencia-Castellón, Málaga-Granada and Sevilla each exceeded 60 000 seats, while Galicia–Madrid capacity doubled compared with the same period in 2024 thanks to the expanded AVE network. The extra trains ran at load factors above 90 %, according to preliminary data, helping to keep airports clear of the crowding seen in previous holiday peaks.
If any of those additional rail journeys involve international arrivals, VisaHQ can simplify the entry process. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the company provides up-to-date visa requirements, digital application tools and courier services, ensuring travelers secure the right documentation quickly so they can take advantage of Renfe’s expanded services without administrative delays.
![Renfe Adds Two Million Seats for Constitution-Day Long Weekend as Domestic Demand Soars]()
For multinationals with Spanish operations, the figures confirm that rail continues to erode domestic air share on city-pairs under 600 km, easing carbon-reduction targets and offering a more predictable alternative amid Europe-wide ATC delays. Many firms now include AVE in preferred-supplier agreements and reimburse first-class rail fares up to the equivalent economy-class air fare.
Renfe’s aggressive capacity management also signals how the operator plans to defend market share as open-access rivals Ouigo España and Iryo ramp up frequencies in 2026. Mobility managers should expect competitive advance-purchase fares on trunk routes at Easter and during next summer’s “Verano Joven” youth-discount campaign.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Transport says it will evaluate whether similar holiday capacity surges could be replicated for the busy January “Rebajas” sales period, potentially offering corporate travellers more flexibility at short notice.
Routes from Madrid to Valencia-Castellón, Málaga-Granada and Sevilla each exceeded 60 000 seats, while Galicia–Madrid capacity doubled compared with the same period in 2024 thanks to the expanded AVE network. The extra trains ran at load factors above 90 %, according to preliminary data, helping to keep airports clear of the crowding seen in previous holiday peaks.
If any of those additional rail journeys involve international arrivals, VisaHQ can simplify the entry process. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the company provides up-to-date visa requirements, digital application tools and courier services, ensuring travelers secure the right documentation quickly so they can take advantage of Renfe’s expanded services without administrative delays.
For multinationals with Spanish operations, the figures confirm that rail continues to erode domestic air share on city-pairs under 600 km, easing carbon-reduction targets and offering a more predictable alternative amid Europe-wide ATC delays. Many firms now include AVE in preferred-supplier agreements and reimburse first-class rail fares up to the equivalent economy-class air fare.
Renfe’s aggressive capacity management also signals how the operator plans to defend market share as open-access rivals Ouigo España and Iryo ramp up frequencies in 2026. Mobility managers should expect competitive advance-purchase fares on trunk routes at Easter and during next summer’s “Verano Joven” youth-discount campaign.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Transport says it will evaluate whether similar holiday capacity surges could be replicated for the busy January “Rebajas” sales period, potentially offering corporate travellers more flexibility at short notice.
