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Spain’s Airports Post March Surge as Barajas Sets Record and Málaga Breaks Q1 Mark

Galicia stands out for steep losses at Santiago ahead of a 35‑day runway shutdown that will shift flights to nearby airports.

Overview

  • Aena, which reported Monday’s network figures, said its airports handled nearly 30 million passengers in March and confirmed Madrid-Barajas set a March record with 5,732,793 travelers, up 4.2% year on year.
  • Málaga-Costa del Sol reached 5,092,675 passengers in the first quarter, the airport’s first time above five million in Q1, with 36,196 takeoffs and landings and mid‑single‑digit growth.
  • Galicia’s winter season ended with 304,265 fewer passengers over five months, a 15% slide that returned traffic to 2018 levels as airline cuts, led by Ryanair’s pullback, weighed on the region.
  • Santiago’s Lavacolla, down 29.6% in Q1 to 435,679 passengers and serving 172,067 in March, will close its runway from April 23 to May 27 for renewal, prompting temporary shifts to A Coruña and Vigo.
  • A Coruña rose 5.7% in March to 116,504 passengers and Vigo gained 1.5% to 91,650 with help from charter trips and event travel, while Córdoba showed sharp percentage growth from a small base.