Aena network airports will operate 81,157 flights over the 2023 Christmas holidays. This is almost 7.5% more than last year, according to data from the airport operator.
However, compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic and a record year for air transport, 7.2% fewer flights will operate this year.
The busiest and quietest days
The busiest flight days are those that start and end the festive holiday season. For instance, 5,437 flights to and from Aena airports are scheduled on Friday, December 22, while 5,316 flights are scheduled on Sunday, January 7. But Saturday 23 December will also be busy, with more than 5,000 flights (5,299). The same goes for 29 December (5,235) and 30 December (5,095). At Christmas, on Monday 25 December, there are considerably fewer flights, 3,356 to be precise.
Busiest airports
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is again the airport with the most flights during Christmas, with a total of 17,097 flights. This is 8.3% more than last year. On Friday, 22 December, it is 1,133 flights. This is followed by 29 December (1,099) and 7 January (1,073). On 25 December, 812 flights are scheduled at Madrid airport.
Barajas is followed by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport, with 13,917 flights. 17% more than last year. Again, Friday 22 December is the busiest day, with 916 flights.
Numbers three, four and five in the ranking of busiest airports are, respectively, Gran Canaria airport with 6,304 flights (+3%), Malaga-Costa del Sol airport with 6,245 flights (+13.9%) and Palma de Mallorca airport with 5,091 flights (+3.79%).
Christmas strikes averted
The Christmas season was threatened at Spanish airports by the strike for Iberia’s handling staff announced by unions UGT and CCOO. On Wednesday, however, the unions decided to postpone the strike and continue negotiations with the company, under the supervision of Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
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