Spain received 11.1 million international air travellers in August, 9.6% more than in the same month in 2023

August maintained the positive trend of the first half of the year and the number of international air passengers arriving in Spain approached 11.1 million (9.6% more than the same month last year), according to data published by Turespaña.

Of these 11.1 million arrivals, 56.6% came from the EU, an increase of 9.3%, while the flow from the rest of the world, which accounted for the remaining 43.4%, was up 9.9%. In the first eight months of the year, Spain received 71.2 million international passengers, 11.9% more than in the same period of 2023.

As has been the case over the last few months of 2024, the upwards trend continued in August in all markets, with an increase in passengers departing to Spain from the main source countries compared to the same month in 2023. Special mention should be made, for yet another month, of the 39.6% growth in Poland, the 16.2% increase in the United States and the 12.1% increase in 'other countries'. In terms of market diversification, most of the Latin American countries, Canada, China and the Persian Gulf countries performed well.

The United Kingdom, with 2.6 million international passengers, generated 23% of the total flow of arrivals to Spain in August, recording a year-on-year increase of 8.1%. The Balearic and Canary Islands were the main recipients, with 49% of the total number of passengers from Britain. In addition, year-on-year increases in the Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Basque Country stood out this month, with rates above 10% in August. Some 80.3% of British passengers travelled on a low-cost airline; the UK is the leader in low-cost airline arrivals, with 30.9% of the total.

On the other hand, passenger arrivals from Germany stood at 1.5 million in August (13.8% of the total), 7% more than in August 2023. German travellers mainly went to the Balearic Islands (47.2 %). As a noteworthy fact and a common trend in this market, 46.9% of German passengers travelled on traditional airlines; this is the market that leads the number of arrivals on these airlines (16.8% of the total).

Italy accounted for 10.2% of the passenger flow received in August (just over one million travellers), registering a year-on-year growth of 13.1%, which particularly benefited Catalonia and the Madrid (together, both received 51.5% of travellers). 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 (80%).

France, on the other hand, issued 7.5% of the total number of passengers in August (834,810 travellers), showing an expansion of 8.2% which particularly favoured Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, which accounted for more than 46.2% of arrivals from the neighbouring country. A total of 73.8% of French passengers used a low-cost airline for their flights, with year-on-year growth of 8.5%.

Last, the Netherlands accounted for 4.3% of the total number of travellers. This market experienced growth of 4.2% in August and its main destinations were Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, which together accounted for almost 58% of arrivals. The rest of the Autonomous Communities, except the Basque Country, increased passenger arrivals, with Galicia, Asturias and Madrid standing out with year-on-year rates of over 15%. The vast majority of travellers from the Netherlands (70.4%) also opted for low-cost carriers for their flights, an expansion of 2.7%.

Autonomous communities of destination

The six main communities receiving visitors accounted for a 96.9% share of arrivals, recording notable increases in the eighth 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 9.8%, and the Balearic Islands, with 6%. This data, as was already the case in July, show a sustained trend towards a greater diversification of traveller destinations.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport received the most arrivals in August, with 2.25 million, followed by Barcelona, with 2.01 million, and Palma, with 1.79 million. The largest year-on-year increase, as was the case in July, was at Alicante airport, with a 16.2% increase compared to the data for August 2023.

Non official translation