The Minister for Public Works, Ana Pastor, highlighted that the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport was used by almost 31 million passengers in the first eight months of 2015, which is an increase of 12% on the same period of 2014.
This upward trend matches the figures recorded at the airports comprising the AENA Network, which were used by some 140.2 million passengers between January and August (up 5.2%). "Spanish airports could well surpass the 200 million passenger mark in 2015", highlighted the Spanish minister (195.9 million in 2014).
During her speech at the ceremony held to launch a new route between Madrid and Hong Kong, Ana Pastor said that Madrid Airport connected to 181 destinations in 64 countries in 2014, while adding that the number of international passengers is posting a significant upward trend with monthly growth figures of 14.5%, 16.2% and 16.3% in June, July and August, respectively.
Investments under the AENA Operational Plan at this airport in the period 2012-2015 amount to 479.4 million euros. In 2016, the same plan will be allocated a budget of 195.7 million euros.
Opportunities for companies in Asia
In her speech, the Minister for Public Works also mentioned the opportunities for Asian airlines in terms of possible growth and business given that Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has two airlines operating a hub there with Latin America, while the main Latin American airlines also operate at this airport.
Furthermore, she underlined the efforts made by AENA in recent years on management efficiency, economic and financial sustainability, and increasing value. These efforts have led to the implementation of a competitive and stable tariff structure.
Expectations from the new route
It is expected that this new route will carry approximately 113,000 passengers per year (return flights) and will lead to the creation of 300 jobs. Furthermore, it will increase direct connectivity with China; help diversify the role played by the Madrid airport - given that it is the leading European airport in terms of offering seats to Latin America - and expand its area of influence; and, finally, strengthen tourism and business ties.
Air Transport Agreement
Representatives from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry for Public Works of Spain and the Transport and Housing Bureau of Hong Kong also finalised a new Air Transport Agreement.
This agreement defines a framework to regulate air relations between Spain and Hong Kong, providing legal guarantees and operational, technical and trade advantages for airlines in the two countries. Furthermore, it will facilitate the launch of international air links and use of the airport network.
This negotiation stems from a commitment made by the Ministry for Public Works to open new markets aimed at facilitating the creation of new international air links, thereby fostering tourism and trade relations with those destinations.
Ministerio de Fomento