Madrid Airport Tops 66M Passengers in 2024
Madrid Airport, managed by Aena, set a new high watermark in 2024 by welcoming 66 million passengers, a ten percent increase over the previous year, as the operator’s Spanish network collectively surpassed 309 million travelers. The milestone owes much to the introduction of 39 new routes and enhanced services across Europe and beyond. Short-haul connections were bolstered with additional frequencies to Athens, Brussels, Faro, Lyon, Prague, Venice and Verona, while long-haul success stories included the launches of nonstop flights to Bangkok, Bogotá, Montreal, Santiago, Shenzhen and Tokyo.
Central to Madrid’s growth strategy is a data-driven approach that leverages a bespoke market intelligence tool, which ingests robust data sources to pinpoint emerging opportunities in both short- and long-haul markets. “We’re looking at Asia to see if we can further develop the network in Spain,” said Ignacio Biosca, Aena’s chief development officer and airline market director, emphasizing Madrid’s ideal position to link Asia with Latin America. Latin American connectivity already accounts for more than 30 percent of the airport’s Europe–Latin America market share, and recent initiatives underscore that focus. Iberia resumed its Tokyo Narita service in 2024 after a pandemic hiatus, Sichuan Airlines commenced nonstop flights from Chengdu Tianfu in April 2025, and Air China relaunched its Beijing–Havana route with Madrid as a strategic stopover, granting Chinese travelers a single-stop gateway to the Americas.
Madrid’s targeted airline engagement—featuring year-round communications, customized incentive programs and joint marketing campaigns—earned Aena the Routes Awards trophy in the Over 20 Million Passenger category at Routes Europe in Seville. “This award recognizes years of hard work by our team and the strong friendships we’ve built with our airline partners,” Biosca said, noting the emotional significance of sharing the honor with a route development colleague recovering in hospital. The accolade arrived as Aena-managed Seville Airport showcased Andalusian hospitality to delegates, further underscoring the operator’s commitment to destination marketing alongside route development.
Biosca expressed optimism about the industry’s resilience despite global headwinds. “We have faced very difficult situations in the past and overcome them,” he said. “By working hand in hand with destinations, airlines and airports, we will succeed again, no matter the turbulence.” With its market intelligence platform guiding strategic network expansion and strong partnerships driving airline confidence, Madrid Airport appears well positioned to sustain its growth trajectory into 2025 and beyond, reinforcing its status as a premier European aviation hub and a vital link between continents.
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