Spain welcomes 11.5 million international air passengers in September - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Spain received 11.5 million international air passengers in September 2026, an increase of 5.1% compared with the same month last year. According to figures published by Turespaña, the country's international air traffic continued to expand after the peak summer season, supported by growing demand from several major European markets and an increase in arrivals from overseas destinations.

Between January and September, international air passenger arrivals reached 90.9 million, representing growth of 5.2% compared with the corresponding period in 2025. This translates into approximately 4.5 million additional arrivals. Europe remained the dominant source region in September, accounting for 85.4% of incoming international passengers, up 5.2% year on year. The Americas represented 6.4% of arrivals, with growth of 3.2%, while passenger numbers from Asia increased by 2%.

The figures also reveal differences between Spain's regional destinations and source markets. The Valencian Community and Andalusia recorded the strongest growth among the country's leading destination regions, while Seville Airport registered the highest year-on-year increase among the airports highlighted in the report. The statistics measure international air passenger arrivals rather than exclusively foreign tourists, but provide an important indicator of travel demand and international connectivity.

European markets continue to drive growth

The United Kingdom remained Spain's largest international air passenger market in September, generating approximately 2.6 million arrivals. This represented 22.3% of the total and an increase of 5.2% compared with September 2025.

The Balearic Islands were the leading destination for passengers arriving from the UK, accounting for 25.3% of the British market. The Canary Islands, Valencian Community, Andalusia and Catalonia also attracted substantial volumes. Most Spanish regions recorded increases in British arrivals, with particularly strong growth in Madrid and the Basque Country.

Germany was the second-largest source market, accounting for 1.5 million passengers, or 13.4% of international arrivals. Growth was relatively modest at 0.9%, with the Balearic Islands remaining the principal destination. The islands received 45.8% of passengers arriving from Germany, while the Canary Islands recorded approximately 14,000 fewer German passengers than a year earlier.

Italy generated 1.1 million arrivals, representing 9.6% of the total and an annual increase of 8.1%. Andalusia, the Valencian Community, the Basque Country and Madrid benefited from rising Italian passenger volumes. Catalonia remained the largest destination for this market, although its arrivals declined by 1.7%.

France accounted for 6.6% of international arrivals, with growth of just 0.3%. The Canary Islands recorded a 20% increase in passengers from France, contrasting with declines in Catalonia and several other regions.

The Netherlands represented 4.5% of arrivals but recorded a slight decrease of 0.4%. The Valencian Community and Catalonia together received approximately 40% of passengers from the Dutch market.

Poland continued to stand out for its strong year-on-year growth, although the report did not specify the corresponding passenger volume.

Long-haul markets show mixed developments

Beyond Europe, the September figures point to continued diversification of Spain's international air passenger base.

Arrivals from the Americas increased by 3.2% compared with September 2025, representing 6.4% of the country's total international air traffic. However, growth in arrivals from the United States slowed compared with previous months.

Among the main Ibero-American markets, passenger numbers increased in all countries highlighted by Turespaña except Colombia. Mexico stood out for particularly strong growth, although the published summary did not provide a specific percentage.

The report also identified increases in arrivals from Canada, China and Japan. These developments indicate that Spain continues to attract additional traffic from markets beyond its traditional European customer base.

For airlines, airports and tourism businesses, the geographical distribution of passenger growth is relevant when assessing international route development and opportunities to diversify demand. Nevertheless, the available figures do not establish how much of the increase represents leisure travel rather than business journeys or other passenger movements.

Valencia and Andalusia lead regional increases

Spain's six leading destination regions accounted for 96.9% of all international air passenger arrivals in September.

Five of these regions recorded year-on-year growth, with the Canary Islands the only exception. The Valencian Community achieved the strongest increase at 10.3%, closely followed by Andalusia at 10.2%.

The Balearic Islands also recorded growth, although at a more moderate rate of 2.6%. The regional differences reflect varying patterns of demand across Spain's established coastal, island and urban destinations.

Madrid-Barajas remained the country's busiest airport for international arrivals, receiving 2.4 million passengers in September, an increase of 5.6% compared with the previous year.

Barcelona Airport followed with 2.1 million passengers, up 4.1%. Seville recorded the most pronounced increase among the airports highlighted, with international arrivals rising by 17.3%.

The strong performance of Valencia and Andalusia, together with the growth at Seville Airport, points to increasing international air traffic beyond Spain's largest traditional gateways.

With 90.9 million international air passenger arrivals recorded during the first nine months of 2026, Spain entered the final quarter with continued growth in inbound aviation. European markets remained central to that expansion, while increases from selected long-haul markets added further diversity to the country's international passenger flows.

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