Spanish airport operator Aena expects to handle 4,420 flights on 31 December—57 fewer than last New Year’s Eve but part of a record 101,793-flight programme for the 19 December–7 January holiday window, up 7.8 % year-on-year. Madrid-Barajas tops the list with 972 movements, followed by Barcelona-El Prat (741) and Málaga-Costa del Sol (369).
The figures confirm a full recovery of Spain’s air-travel market after the pandemic and reflect strong demand from both leisure and corporate segments. Despite scattered staffing issues at passport control, slot coordination has so far avoided the large-scale cancellations seen elsewhere in Europe.
For companies navigating this surge, VisaHQ can streamline visa and travel-document compliance for employees, contractors and relocated assignees heading to or transiting through Spain. Its digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) provides up-to-date entry requirements, application assistance and expedited processing options—helping global-mobility teams keep itineraries on track during peak periods.
![Aena schedules 4,420 flights on New Year’s Eve amid record holiday demand]()
For mobility managers, the data signal tight seat supply on popular domestic shuttles and key international routes through Epiphany (6 January). Companies negotiating corporate fares may face surcharges if they book late, while assignee relocation flights could require more flexible date ranges.
Aena’s winter-operations plan includes additional de-icing equipment at northern airports and a contingency protocol for French air-traffic-control strikes—both relevant for firms moving staff between Spanish hubs and EU headquarters.
Looking ahead, Aena projects a 5 % capacity bump for the summer 2026 season, fuelled by new long-haul services to Asia and Latin America. Global-mobility teams planning talent rotations should monitor slot releases in March.
The figures confirm a full recovery of Spain’s air-travel market after the pandemic and reflect strong demand from both leisure and corporate segments. Despite scattered staffing issues at passport control, slot coordination has so far avoided the large-scale cancellations seen elsewhere in Europe.
For companies navigating this surge, VisaHQ can streamline visa and travel-document compliance for employees, contractors and relocated assignees heading to or transiting through Spain. Its digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) provides up-to-date entry requirements, application assistance and expedited processing options—helping global-mobility teams keep itineraries on track during peak periods.
For mobility managers, the data signal tight seat supply on popular domestic shuttles and key international routes through Epiphany (6 January). Companies negotiating corporate fares may face surcharges if they book late, while assignee relocation flights could require more flexible date ranges.
Aena’s winter-operations plan includes additional de-icing equipment at northern airports and a contingency protocol for French air-traffic-control strikes—both relevant for firms moving staff between Spanish hubs and EU headquarters.
Looking ahead, Aena projects a 5 % capacity bump for the summer 2026 season, fuelled by new long-haul services to Asia and Latin America. Global-mobility teams planning talent rotations should monitor slot releases in March.
