In September 2026, Spanish airports received 11,5 million international air passengers — 5,1 % more than a year earlier. These figures, published by Turespaña, paint a picture of steady tourism recovery, but behind them lie notable differences between regions and markets.
Europe still dominates: 85,4 % of passengers arrived from European countries, with growth of 5,2 %. The United Kingdom led with 2,6 million people (22,3 % of the total flow, +5,2 %), followed by Germany (1,5 million, +0,9 %) and Italy (1,1 million, +8,1 %). The share of the Americas was 6,4 % (+3,2 %), and that of Asia about 2 %.
Low-cost airlines carried 59,8 % of passengers, showing growth of 6,5 %. Over the nine months of the year, Spain has already received 90,9 million international passengers (+5,2 %). Such rates confirm the country's appeal, yet not all regions share the general optimism.
While Valencia and Andalusia recorded the most notable increases, the Canary Islands faced a decline: 1,12 million passengers, down 1,3 % from last year. The Balearic Islands and Catalonia maintained their positions as key destinations for British and German tourists, but the overall influx requires careful management of the burden on infrastructure and nature.
The growth in passenger traffic underscores the economic importance of air connectivity for Spain, where tourism remains one of the main drivers. At the same time, the data point to the need to diversify markets and develop sustainable practices in order to avoid overloading popular destinations.
In all likelihood, the coming months will show whether it will be possible to maintain a balance between the number of visitors and the quality of experience for local residents and the environment.
