Airports in Spain by Passenger Volume

The transport system in Spain is characterized by an extensive network of railways, ports, roads, rapid transit, and air routes. The country's primary modes of transport connects the Spanish capital city Madrid to cities and towns located in different parts of the country. The centrally located city is well-connected by air with the capitals of most neighboring and far-off countries. Several regional and international airports connect the different areas of the country with each other and with places abroad.

Overview Of The Busiest Airports In Spain

Spain is among the most visited countries in the world alongside France, US, Italy, and China. This means that most of the International and domestic routes are always busy, even more so during the tourist season. The 20 busiest airports in the country are evenly distributed in 20 different locations in Spain. In 2016, the number of passengers going through the busiest airport was over 50 million people and the least busy airport handled slightly above one million passengers. All the airports had a significant percentage increase in the number of passengers from the previous year.

1. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas - 53.4 Million Passengers

The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas in Madrid, the country's largest city, is the busiest airport in Spain. The airport is also called the Madrid-Barajas Airport and is the main international airport serving the city of Madrid. The airport covers an area of 7,500 acres making it Europe's largest airport by physical size alongside Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport in France. The airport was officially opened in 1928, growing to be among Europe's most significant aviation centers. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas is also the sixth busiest airport in Europe. The airport has five terminals and serves as the primary access to the Iberian Peninsula from Europe and the rest of the world.

2. Barcelona El Prat Airport - 47.3 Million Passengers

Located in the center of Barcelona, the Barcelona El Prat Airport is also simply known as Barcelona Airport. The international airport is found in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Sant Boi, and Viladecans. The Barcelona airport is the second busiest airport in Spain. The airport handled approximately 44,154,693 passengers in 2016 which was an 11.2% increase from 2015. Barcelona El Prat Airport, which was opened in 1918, mainly serves domestic European destinations and is the main airport in Catalonia.

3. Palma de Mallorca Airport - 27.9 Million Passengers

Also known as Aeroport de Son Sant Joan or the Son Sant Joan Airport, the Palma de Mallorca is an international airport located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. With 27,970,655 passengers using the facility in 2016, Palma de Mallorca Airport is the third busiest airport in Spain and also the country's third largest airport after the Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona airports. The airport traces its roots back to the 1920s when the postal services required seaplanes to fly to the other Balearic Islands. At present, Palma de Mallorca is a focus airport for EasyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling. It is also the primary base for Air Europa, the Spanish carrier.

4. Málaga-Costa Del Sol - 18.6 Million Passengers

The Màlaga Airport (which was officially named the Málaga-Costa Del Sol Airport in June 2011) is located in Màlaga, Spain. Màlaga Airport is Spain's fourth busiest airport with flight connections to more than 60 countries throughout the world. Approximately 18,628,876 passengers went through the airport in 2016 registering a 15.7% increase from 2015. The Màlaga Airport is a significant airport for tourism in the country and it is also the main international airport serving Costa del Sol. Màlaga-del Costa Airport was officially opened on March 9th, 1919 and it now features three terminals.