Spain: International air arrivals rise 5.8 percent to 12.4 million in July - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Spain's airports welcomed 12.4 million international passengers in July 2026, an increase of 5.8 percent compared with the same month last year, according to figures released by Turespaña. Europe remained by far the country's largest source region, accounting for 87.4 percent of all international air arrivals.

Passenger numbers from Europe increased by 6.1 percent year on year, while arrivals from the Americas rose by 3.1 percent and represented 5.7 percent of the total. Passenger traffic from Asia grew by 4.1 percent.

International arrivals reach 67 million since January

During the first seven months of 2026, Spain received 67 million international air passengers, 5.2 percent more than during the corresponding period of 2025. This represents approximately 3.3 million additional arrivals within a year.

Most major source markets contributed to the increase in July. Poland and Belgium recorded particularly strong year-on-year growth, while passenger traffic from the United States expanded at a slower pace than in previous months.

The figures also point to a broader diversification of Spain's international source markets. China and Canada stood out for their growth, while arrivals from major Latin American markets increased as well, particularly from Brazil and Mexico. Traffic from the Gulf countries continued to decline overall, although Saudi Arabia showed signs of recovery.

UK remains Spain's largest source market

The United Kingdom remained the leading international air travel market for Spain. Around 2.9 million passengers arrived from the UK in July, representing 23.3 percent of all international arrivals and an increase of 6.3 percent compared with July 2025.

The Balearic Islands were the leading destination for British passengers, receiving 26 percent of the total, with arrivals increasing by 2.3 percent. The Canary Islands followed with a share of 20 percent. Almost all Spanish regions recorded growth from the UK, with Galicia and Asturias the exceptions.

Germany remained the second major source market, generating 1.6 million passengers and accounting for 12.7 percent of international arrivals. Traffic increased slightly by 0.8 percent year on year.

The Balearic Islands dominated the German market, attracting 46.3 percent of all passengers arriving from Germany. Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Basque Country recorded notable increases, while the Canary Islands received around 9,000 fewer German passengers than a year earlier.

Italian market grows by more than ten percent

Italy generated 1.2 million international passengers in July, corresponding to 10.2 percent of Spain's total. Arrivals increased by 10.2 percent year on year, with growth benefiting all major destination regions except the Canary Islands.

The Valencian Community recorded more than 40,000 additional passengers from Italy. Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Basque Country also achieved double-digit increases.

France accounted for 899,715 passengers, or 7.3 percent of total international arrivals. Traffic grew by 3.7 percent, with the Balearic Islands receiving 24.4 percent of French passengers. Andalusia and the Canary Islands also posted double-digit growth from the French market.

The Netherlands was one of the few major markets to contract. Its 560,248 passengers represented 4.5 percent of the July total, down 1.7 percent year on year. The Valencian Community, Canary Islands, Asturias and Galicia bucked the trend with increases. The Valencian Community and Catalonia together received 41.6 percent of all Dutch arrivals.

Valencian Community records strongest growth

Spain's six leading destination regions accounted for 96.8 percent of all international air arrivals in July, and each recorded year-on-year growth.

The Valencian Community led the ranking with an increase of 12.8 percent, while the Canary Islands recorded the smallest gain at 0.3 percent. Among Spain's other regions, the Basque Country stood out both for the volume of international passengers and for double-digit growth.

The figures underline the geographical expansion of international demand beyond Spain's traditional Mediterranean island and coastal destinations.

Madrid and Barcelona handle 4.5 million passengers

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport remained Spain's busiest gateway for international arrivals in July, handling 2.3 million passengers. This represented growth of 4.6 percent compared with July 2025.

Barcelona Airport followed closely with 2.2 million international passengers, an increase of 7.7 percent.

Valencia recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the airports covered by the Turespaña figures. International passenger arrivals there increased by 15.3 percent, reflecting the particularly strong performance of the Valencian Community during the summer travel season.

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