Aena network airports close 2022 with 88.5% recovery vs. 2019 traffic
Of the total number of passengers recorded in 2022, over 242 million were commercial passengers
The airports in the Aena network closed 2022 with a total of 243,681,775 passengers, representing an 88.5% recovery in passenger traffic compared to 2019, the last year before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release dated 10 January, 2023. For the month of December, the recovery was close to 100%, standing at 98.1% compared to the same month in 2019, with a total of 17,897,162 passengers.
Throughout the year, the number of aircraft movements was 2,216,327, representing a recovery of 93.9% over 2019. 1,000,356 tonnes of cargo were transported, 6.5% less than in 2019. Of the total number of passengers recorded in 2022, 242,881,309 were commercial passengers, of which 82,319,704 traveled on domestic flights (3.8% less than in 2019), and 160,561,605 traveled on international flights (15% less). The number of aircraft operations in December 2022 was 158,442 at Aena’s network airports, 2.8% less than in the same month of 2019.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport recorded the highest number of passengers in 2022 with 50,633,652, representing a decrease of 18% compared to 2019. This was followed by Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport, with 41,639,622 and a 21% decrease over 2019; Palma de Mallorca Airport, with 28,573,364 (-3.9%); Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, with 18,457,194 (-7.1%), Alicante-Elche Airport, with 13,202,880 (-12.3%); Gran Canaria Airport, with 12,417,699 (-6.4%); Tenerife Sur Airport, with 10,821,703 (-3.1%); Ibiza Airport, with 8,156,675 (0%), and Valencia Airport, with 8,114,852, which is a 5% decrease compared to 2019.
Aena launches world’s largest duty free shop tender by turnoverAdditionally, in December 2022, Aena launched the world’s largest duty-free shop tender, with an expected €18 billion (US$19.5 million) in turnover and 86 duty-free points of sale. The tender doubles the number of lots to boost participation and promote competition among global operators, according to a news release.
The commercial space is more than 66,000 square meters, which equates to more than seven football pitches. The duration of the contract is increased up to 12 years, with the option of three annual extensions, according to information from a news release dated December 22, 2022.
“This tender has generated a great deal of excitement and has already sparked the interest of the main operators in the sector,” explained Aena’s Commercial and Real Estate Managing Director, María José Cuenda, who confirmed said interest in the presentation of the main outlines of the strategy at the largest meeting of the airport retail sector in the world, which was held in Cannes last October. This new tender will involve renewing the management of these commercial spaces at 27 airports in the Aena network, since the current contracts are in force until October 31.
