Despite a small year-on-year dip, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport processed 1,006 arrivals and departures on 6 January (Epiphany/Three Kings Day), making it the busiest day of Spain’s Christmas-return period. Nationwide, Aena logged 5,099 flights, with Barcelona-El Prat (755) and Málaga (361) rounding out the top three hubs([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-06/es/epiphany-traffic-madrid-barajas-to-operate-1006-flights-on-6-january/)).
Between 19 December and 7 January the Spanish operator scheduled 101,793 flights—up 7.8 % on last year—despite Europe-wide winter-weather disruptions and a local ground-handling labour dispute. Corporate travel planners should anticipate longer taxi queues and premium-class seat scarcity as the first full business week of 2026 coincides with peak holiday returns([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-06/es/epiphany-traffic-madrid-barajas-to-operate-1006-flights-on-6-january/)).
![Epiphany Peak: Madrid-Barajas Handles 1,006 Flights in Single Day]()
Travel administrators looking to ease the paperwork burden can turn to VisaHQ’s dedicated Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) for up-to-date entry rules, digital visa applications and expedited processing. The service helps business travellers stay compliant and avoid last-minute snags when shifting flight schedules or snow-induced reroutes put additional pressure on itineraries.
Aena warns that rosters remain fluid while airlines juggle snow-related slot constraints in northern Europe. Mobility teams should monitor schedule changes, pre-reserve airport transfers and remind staff to allow extra time for security checks, especially as biometric EES kiosks lengthen formalities for non-EU colleagues.
Between 19 December and 7 January the Spanish operator scheduled 101,793 flights—up 7.8 % on last year—despite Europe-wide winter-weather disruptions and a local ground-handling labour dispute. Corporate travel planners should anticipate longer taxi queues and premium-class seat scarcity as the first full business week of 2026 coincides with peak holiday returns([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-06/es/epiphany-traffic-madrid-barajas-to-operate-1006-flights-on-6-january/)).
Travel administrators looking to ease the paperwork burden can turn to VisaHQ’s dedicated Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) for up-to-date entry rules, digital visa applications and expedited processing. The service helps business travellers stay compliant and avoid last-minute snags when shifting flight schedules or snow-induced reroutes put additional pressure on itineraries.
Aena warns that rosters remain fluid while airlines juggle snow-related slot constraints in northern Europe. Mobility teams should monitor schedule changes, pre-reserve airport transfers and remind staff to allow extra time for security checks, especially as biometric EES kiosks lengthen formalities for non-EU colleagues.
