Lorraine Williamson
Aena, Spain’s leading airport operator, is forecasting a 3.4% increase in air traffic for 2025, with passenger numbers expected to reach 320 million.
The projection remains positive despite wider global economic and political uncertainties. According to the company, the forecast draws on confirmed airline bookings and scheduled aircraft deliveries.
Passenger traffic reached new heights in 2024
In 2024, Aena recorded nearly 370 million passengers across its airports in Spain, the UK, and Brazil. Including operations in Mexico, Jamaica, and Colombia, the total reached 440 million.
Maurici Lucena Betriu, president and CEO of Aena, highlighted the company’s progress at the 2025 General Shareholders’ Meeting. As shared on X (formerly Twitter), “In 2024, Aena broke activity records and achieved many of the goals defined in the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan ahead of schedule.”
The year also delivered Aena’s highest-ever profit and turnover, signalling strong financial health alongside its operational milestones.
Airport expansion plans underway
Many Spanish airports are nearing full capacity. To meet increasing demand, Aena is expanding key hubs including Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona El Prat, Alicante, and Valencia. Meanwhile, the British government has approved an expansion of London Luton Airport, increasing capacity from 19 to 32 million passengers annually.
Major investment in Brazil
Internationally, Aena is investing €1 billion into upgrading 17 airports across Brazil. The largest project is the expansion of Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, which marks the company’s most ambitious overseas development to date.
Share split targets smaller investors
In a bid to broaden access to its stock, Aena has announced a share split. Each existing share will be divided into 10, reducing the price per share and encouraging investment from smaller shareholders.
Confidence in the sector despite uncertainty
Despite global risks, Aena remains confident about the future of air travel in Spain and beyond. The company continues to invest in infrastructure, safety, and environmental initiatives. Earlier this year, nine Spanish airports within Aena’s network were recognised for service and quality. The operator’s long-term strategy appears firmly on track, even ahead of its own timetable.