Spanish carrier schedules show that Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport will handle 1,006 flights on 6 January—Epiphany (Día de Reyes)—down 59 flights on the same holiday last year but still the busiest day of the Christmas-return period.
According to data supplied by Aena to Europa Press, Spain’s nationwide network expects 5,099 flights on Epiphany, with Barcelona-El Prat (755) and Málaga (361) following Madrid. The Wednesday “operation return” that closes the school break will add a further 971 movements.
![Epiphany Traffic: Madrid-Barajas to Operate 1,006 Flights on 6 January]()
For travellers who may still need to secure documentation before departure, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) can expedite Spain Schengen visa applications and other consular services worldwide, offering real-time tracking and expert support—particularly valuable when January flights are projected to run near capacity.
Overall, Aena scheduled 101,793 flights between 19 December and 7 January, up 7.8 % year-on-year despite the extra holiday day in 2025’s calendar. Airlines attribute the slight Epiphany dip to strategic capacity trimming after a winter-weather disruption cycle across Europe and the ongoing ground-handling labour dispute at Barajas.
Corporate mobility teams should note that peak volumes coincide with the first full business week of 2026; meeting planners may experience longer taxi queues and premium-class seat scarcity. Aena warns that schedules remain subject to change as airlines adjust fleets to cope with snow-related slot constraints elsewhere in Europe.
According to data supplied by Aena to Europa Press, Spain’s nationwide network expects 5,099 flights on Epiphany, with Barcelona-El Prat (755) and Málaga (361) following Madrid. The Wednesday “operation return” that closes the school break will add a further 971 movements.
For travellers who may still need to secure documentation before departure, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) can expedite Spain Schengen visa applications and other consular services worldwide, offering real-time tracking and expert support—particularly valuable when January flights are projected to run near capacity.
Overall, Aena scheduled 101,793 flights between 19 December and 7 January, up 7.8 % year-on-year despite the extra holiday day in 2025’s calendar. Airlines attribute the slight Epiphany dip to strategic capacity trimming after a winter-weather disruption cycle across Europe and the ongoing ground-handling labour dispute at Barajas.
Corporate mobility teams should note that peak volumes coincide with the first full business week of 2026; meeting planners may experience longer taxi queues and premium-class seat scarcity. Aena warns that schedules remain subject to change as airlines adjust fleets to cope with snow-related slot constraints elsewhere in Europe.
