Report by Link Securities
The airport operator will limit growth at Spain’s two main airports for the first time for the coming summer season. As reported by *Expansión*, Barcelona has already exceeded its theoretical maximum of 55 million passengers, and Madrid is approaching its optimal capacity of 70 million; whilst the expansions planned for the coming decade are underway, measures will be implemented to allow traffic to be managed during periods of lower demand. Airlines that have already been allocated take-off and landing slots will continue to operate them as normal. The change will come into effect with the growth proposals from the summer of 2027 (April to October), as reported by El País on Friday. “Until now, the capacity of the entire airport was published, without distinguishing between terminals, but capacity figures by terminal will now be included, as is the case at the main airports in the network and at some international airports,” Aena reported.
Airlines operating at Barajas and El Prat airports that could be affected by this restriction have already been informed.
According to Aena, these restrictions will be phased out as the investments set out in the Airport Regulation Document (DORA 3) for the period 2027–2031 are implemented. The airport operator will carry out a record investment of more than 6,000 million euros at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
