July maintained the positive trend of the first half of the year and the number of international air passengers arriving in Spain exceeded 11 million (8.6% more than the same month last year), according to data published by Turespaña.
Of these 11.2 million arrivals, 56.6% came from within the EU, an increase of 9.7%, while the flow from the rest of the world, which accounted for the remaining 43.4%, was up 7.2%. In the first seven months of the year, Spain received 60.1 million international passengers, 12.4% more than in the same period of 2023.
As has been the case in the months so far in 2024, the upwards trend in all markets continued in July, with an increase in passengers departing to Spain from the main source countries compared to the figures for the same month in 2023. Special mention should be made of the 38.2% growth in Poland, the 15.9% increase in the United States and the 11.3% increase in 'other countries'.
The UK, with 2.6 million international passengers, generated 23.2% of the total flow of arrivals to Spain in July, recording a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. The Balearic and Canary Islands together received 48% of the total number of British passengers.
Some 80.8% of British passengers travelled on a low-cost carrier (LCC), with the UK the leader in arrivals on these airlines, accounting for 30.3% of the total. In July, the year-on-year increases in British arrivals in the Valencian Community and Catalonia stood out, with more than 25,000 additional arrivals, and the year-on-year increase in the Basque Country of 22.3% for this month.
Meanwhile, passenger arrivals from Germany stood at 1.6 million in July (14% of the total), up 7.4% compared to July 2023. German travellers mainly went to the Balearic Islands (48 %). As is usual in this market, 46.2% of German passengers travelled on traditional airlines as the market with the highest number of arrivals on these airlines (16.7% of the total).
Italy accounted for 9.8% of the passenger flow received in July (just over one million passengers), registering year-on-year growth of 13.8%, which particularly benefited Catalonia and the Community of Madrid. The rest of the main regions received more Italian passengers than a year ago, except Cantabria. Among Italian travellers, low-cost airlines prevailed over traditional airlines (81.2%).
France, on the other hand, issued 7.7% of the total number of passengers in July (867,678 travellers), showing an expansion of 7.6% which particularly favoured Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, which accounted for more than 45% of arrivals from the neighbouring country. A total of 73.9% of French passengers flew with a low-cost carrier (LCC), a year-on-year growth of 8.5%.
Last, the Netherlands accounted for 4.6% of the total number of travellers. This market experienced growth of 4.8% in July and its main destinations were Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, which together accounted for almost 58% of arrivals. The growth of tourists from the Netherlands to Asturias stands out, 30% more than a year ago. The vast majority of travellers from the Netherlands (73.9%) also opted for low-cost carriers for their flights, an expansion of 8.5%.
Autonomous communities of destination
The six main communities receiving visitors accounted for a 96.9% share of arrivals, recording notable increases in the seventh month of the year. The highest increase was recorded by the Valencian Community with a year-on-year increase of 13.1% and the lowest, the Canary Islands with 7.4%, and the Balearic Islands, with 4.7%. This data, together with the increase in international air travellers registered in communities such as the Basque Country and Asturias, shows a trend towards a greater diversification of travellers' destinations.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport received the most arrivals in July, with 2.2 million, followed by Barcelona, with 1.9 million, and Palma, with 1.8 million. The largest year-on-year increase was at Alicante airport, with a 16.1% increase compared to July 2023.
Non official translation
Passengers at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
