Aena’s Strategic Expansion: New Routes and Increased Operations on the Horizon
Aena, the world’s leading airport management company, has recently shared its successful performance and strategic plans for expansion across its network of 46 airports. In 2023, Aena recorded a significant rise in passenger traffic, with more than 283 million passengers, marking a 16.2% increase from the previous year and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Notably, May 2024 saw record highs at Aena-operated airports, with 28.2 million passengers, 238,062 aircraft movements, and 108,380 tons of cargo.
During a conversation with Routes in Aarhus, Irene Gracia, head of the aviation market and international relations division at Aena, outlined the company’s initiatives to develop further air traffic, particularly in Asia. Following the success of new routes like Shenzhen Airlines’ nonstop service from Shenzhen to Barcelona, Aena is actively engaging with additional Chinese carriers to expand its Asian network, as evidenced by its participation in Routes Asia 2024.
The company is also witnessing growth in the Americas, driven by United Airlines’ enhanced summer program, which has increased flights from Spain by 30% in 2024. This includes resuming services such as Costa del Sol to New York-Newark, as well as new routes from Barcelona to San Francisco and several other connections enhancing U.S.-Spain travel.
In Europe, Aena’s appeal to airlines continues to grow. For instance, easyJet opened its fourth Spanish base at Alicante Airport in April 2024, and airBaltic set up a seasonal base in Gran Canaria in December 2023. These developments underscore the ongoing potential seen by airlines at Aena’s locations.
Juan Alberto Martín, head of the airline customer relations division at Aena, emphasized the company’s new incentive program targeting smaller airports with fewer than three million annual passengers. He highlighted the impact of the Airbus A321’s introduction to their fleet, noting its potential to revolutionize connections from the North Atlantic and Middle East to Spain.
Both Gracia and Martín praised the value of attending Routes events, which provide a unique platform for Aena to meet numerous airline representatives and discuss future collaborations within just a few days. These events also serve as a critical venue for Aena and its tourism partners to present a unified approach to airline engagements, showcasing their close cooperation and comprehensive offerings to potential airline partners.
As Aena looks to the future, its strategic focus on expanding its global footprint and enhancing service offerings at its airports is poised to solidify its position as a top player in the global aviation industry.