The Barcelona-El Prat Airport closed 2025 with a total of 58 million passengers, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the previous year. This figure is part of a record year for the Aena network, which managed 321.6 million travelers across Spain. The airports of Girona (2.19 million) and Reus (1.33 million) also registered their historical maximums.
Although Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas remains the main hub with 68.2 million passengers, its growth has slowed (3%). El Prat, however, grew above the network average, while Mediterranean airports like Valencia (+9.6%) and Alicante-Elche (+8.5%) experienced the most intense percentage increases.
Aena pointed out that, until the airport is expanded, the only way to increase traffic will continue to be by utilizing time slots, days of the week, and periods of the year with lower demand.
With this data, El Prat once again exceeds its so-called technical limit of 55 million passengers, at a crucial moment in the debate over the tourism model and the need for expansion. Furthermore, companies like Level continue to open long-haul routes, such as the new connection with Lima (Peru), prioritizing intercontinental flights.
Consulted experts suggest that, to prioritize long-distance flights that bring high value-added visitors, it would be necessary to raise airport taxes and boost the secondary airports of Girona and Reus.
