Spain Welcomed 11.7 Million International Air Passengers in August

International

Passenger numbers grew by 5.4% year-on-year, with 75.4 million international arrivals recorded between January and August

According to the latest data from Turespaña, Spain received 11.7 million international air passengers in August, a 5.4% increase compared to the same month in 2024. Between January and August 2025, total arrivals reached 75.4 million, marking a 5.9% year-on-year growth.

Market Trends and Diversification

Passenger arrivals from Spain’s main source markets generally increased in August, with the exception of France, which registered a slight decline. Among long-haul markets, China and South Korea showed strong growth, Japan continued its gradual recovery, and traffic from Brazil, Argentina and Colombia also recorded notable gains.

United Kingdom: With 2.7 million arrivals (23.2% of the total), the UK remained Spain’s leading source market, up 3.9% year-on-year. The Balearic Islands received 27.4% of British passengers, followed by the Canary Islands with 20.7%.

Germany: 1.6 million passengers arrived from Germany (13.3% of the total), a modest 1.8% increase. Nearly half of these travellers (46.5%) chose the Balearic Islands as their destination.

Italy: Representing 10.4% of August’s arrivals, Italy sent 1.2 million passengers, a 6.8% year-on-year rise. Madrid and Catalonia together accounted for more than half (52.3%) of Italian travellers. Significant growth was recorded in the Basque Country, Catalonia and the Canary Islands, all above 10%.

France: Accounting for 7.1% of arrivals, France declined slightly by 0.7%, mainly affecting Andalusia, Galicia and Aragón. Still, the Balearic Islands and Catalonia absorbed nearly half (47.5%) of French arrivals, with the Balearics showing a net increase of over 12,000 passengers.

Netherlands: Dutch travellers represented 4.3% of total arrivals, up 6.1% year-on-year. Main destinations were Catalonia (20.2%) and Valencia (19%). Andalucía stood out with a sharp 14% rise.

Regional Distribution

Spain’s six leading autonomous communities—Madrid, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Andalucía and Valencia—accounted for 97% of all international arrivals in August. Growth was widespread, led by the Valencian Community (+9.8%), while the Balearic Islands posted the smallest increase (+2.8%).

Airports

Madrid-Barajas received the largest number of international passengers in August with 2.3 million arrivals (+5.2%), followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 2.1 million (+7%), and Palma de Mallorca with 1.8 million (+3%). Alicante Airport recorded the strongest year-on-year growth, with international arrivals up by 10%.

For further details, see the full Turespaña August 2025 Air Passenger Report.