In May, there were 10.5 million passengers from international airports, 5.4% more than in the same month a year ago, according to data published today by Turespaña. In the first five months of this year, Spain received 41.3 million international passengers, an increase of 6.9% compared to the same period in 2024.
May saw an increase in international passenger arrivals from all major source markets except Germany, continuing the upward trend since the end of the pandemic. In the diversification of markets ("other countries"), the Persian Gulf countries, China, South Korea and Turkey showed positive developments this month.
In terms of the main source markets, the United Kingdom accounted for around 2.5 million international passengers in the fourth month of the year and generated 23.9% of the total flow of arrivals to Spain, registering a year-on-year increase of 6.2%. British arrivals to the Balearic Islands took centre stage this month, accounting for 25% of passengers, followed by the Canary Islands, with a share of 21%. In year-on-year terms, Galicia and the Basque Country increased their growth rates by more than +30%.
1.4 million passengers flew from Germany in May (13.8% of the total), down 2.3% year-on-year. Although the Balearic Islands was the main destination, with a 45% share of arrivals, arrivals decreased by 7.4%. The Canary Islands and the Community of Madrid, with passenger decreases of 11% and 9% respectively, also experienced declines.
Italy accounted for 9.4% of the flow of passengers received in May (985,085), registering a year-on-year growth of 11.1%, which benefited all the communities except Galicia, which experienced a decline. The Community of Madrid and Catalonia together accounted for 56.7% of arrivals. In year-on-year variations, the Basque Country had a notable performance, with an increase of almost 48% compared to the same month of the previous year.
France issued 7.7% of total passengers in May, showing an expansion of 5.6%. Catalonia and Madrid accounted for 46.5% of total arrivals, but it was the Balearic Islands that showed the greatest expansion, receiving more than 20,000 additional international passengers compared to the same month of the previous year. The Valencian Community, Galicia and Asturias also performed well.
Finally, passengers arriving in May from the Netherlands accounted for 4.9% of the total, an increase of 6.7%. They mainly went to Catalonia and Valencia, with shares of around 20% each. All regions except the Canary Islands recorded year-on-year growth, with Andalusia standing out.
Autonomous communities of destination
In May, the six main autonomous communities (Madrid, Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Andalusia and Valencia), accounted for 96.9% of total arrivals, all registering increases, with the sharpest increase in Andalusia (10.6%) and the most moderate in the Balearic Islands (0.8%). In the 'rest of the communities' section, the growth is notable, close to 10%.
Catalonia received the highest number of passengers with 21.1% of arrivals, and led the flow of arrivals in CBC with a 23.6% market share. Among the traditional companies, the Community of Madrid accounted for 42.4% of arrivals, and the Valencian Community was the one that grew the most in year-on-year terms in this modality (11.7%).
In terms of airports, Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas received the most arrivals in May, with 2.19 million passengers (an increase of 3.1%), followed by Barcelona, with 1.9 million international passengers (an increase of 5.9%), and Palma, with 1.5 million arrivals and a slight decrease of 0.2%. The highest year-on-year increase was recorded by the airport of Valencia, with 12.2% more arrivals than in May of the previous year, closely followed by Seville airport, with 12.1%.
Non official translation
Passengers at an airport