Spain’s airport operator Aena has confirmed that its 46-airport network handled a record 10,943 commercial flights over the first weekend of 2026 (3–4 January), eclipsing the previous high for an opening weekend of the calendar year. Madrid-Barajas topped the list with 2,161 movements, followed by Barcelona-El Prat (1,831) and Málaga-Costa del Sol (873).
The surge reflected the convergence of the post-holiday “Operación Retorno”, as residents returned before Epiphany on 6 January, and strong inbound leisure demand from key markets such as the UK, Germany and France. Low-cost carriers Vueling and Ryanair each added double-digit capacity versus 2025, while Iberia deployed wide-body A330s on selected European routes to boost seat and cargo supply.
![Aena Schedules Record-High 10,943 Flights for First Weekend of 2026]()
If you’re among the millions planning a trip to Spain in the coming weeks, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork long before you reach the airport. The platform guides you through visa requirements, passport checks and even new Entry/Exit System rules, with real-time updates and application tools for Spanish trips and dozens of other destinations. Explore the options at https://www.visahq.com/spain/.
Critically, the weekend marked the first major stress-test of the EU’s Entry/Exit System in Spain. Barajas is now running 120 biometric kiosks and 60 e-gates; Barcelona has 72 kiosks and Málaga 48. Aena deployed 350 extra “blue-vest” agents to manage passenger flows and reported that average processing times remained under four minutes at peak.
For corporate travel planners, the figures signal a busier-than-normal January. Mobility managers are advising staff to reach airports at least three hours early, ensure passports have a blank biometric page and print onward-travel proof to avoid EES queries. The historic traffic underscores Spain’s continued attractiveness as a winter meeting destination—and the operational importance of early booking for slots, hotels and ground transport.
The surge reflected the convergence of the post-holiday “Operación Retorno”, as residents returned before Epiphany on 6 January, and strong inbound leisure demand from key markets such as the UK, Germany and France. Low-cost carriers Vueling and Ryanair each added double-digit capacity versus 2025, while Iberia deployed wide-body A330s on selected European routes to boost seat and cargo supply.
If you’re among the millions planning a trip to Spain in the coming weeks, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork long before you reach the airport. The platform guides you through visa requirements, passport checks and even new Entry/Exit System rules, with real-time updates and application tools for Spanish trips and dozens of other destinations. Explore the options at https://www.visahq.com/spain/.
Critically, the weekend marked the first major stress-test of the EU’s Entry/Exit System in Spain. Barajas is now running 120 biometric kiosks and 60 e-gates; Barcelona has 72 kiosks and Málaga 48. Aena deployed 350 extra “blue-vest” agents to manage passenger flows and reported that average processing times remained under four minutes at peak.
For corporate travel planners, the figures signal a busier-than-normal January. Mobility managers are advising staff to reach airports at least three hours early, ensure passports have a blank biometric page and print onward-travel proof to avoid EES queries. The historic traffic underscores Spain’s continued attractiveness as a winter meeting destination—and the operational importance of early booking for slots, hotels and ground transport.
