Spain received the arrival of more than 5.5 million passengers from international airports in October, the best record since the beginning of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data published today by Turespaña.
“At least since 2000, October was a month with less passenger movement than September. That this year the trend is broken shows that the recovery continues to advance gradually, driven by the success of the vaccination process in Spain and a management of the pandemic that places us as one of the safest countries in the world and with the least restrictions in vigor. It is clear that when travel facilities are introduced, as is the case with the disappearance of the British traffic light system, the demand responds ”, has valued the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto.
The head of the department recalled that today the airlines have scheduled to fly to Spain between November and January more than 90% of the seats flown in the same period of 2019, "a sign of the confidence that the destination Spain is getting generate".
Denmark, first market to recover
Another novelty reflected in the October data is that for the first time a priority market for Spain already shows a total recovery: Passengers from Denmark, 145,818, represent 2.3% more than those who traveled in the same month of 2019. The Netherlands, with 399,800 passengers, recovers 98%; Belgium, with 235,646, is already at 84%; Switzerland, with 247,125, at 83% or Germany, with 1,040,000, at 77%.
The United Kingdom was the first issuing country in October, with 1,107,954 passengers (20% of the total) that benefited mainly the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, followed by Germany (18.8% of the total), with more than one million passengers who they mainly directed to the Balearic Islands. France, with 448,329 travelers, is the third issuer, representing 8.1% of the total. Passengers from France came mainly to Madrid, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. 435,516 people arrived from Italian airports (7.9% of the total), who went mainly to Catalonia and Madrid.
Madrid, first autonomous region of destination
The Community of Madrid was the main destination for international passengers, with a 18.9% share, followed by the Balearic Islands (18.6%) and the Canary Islands (18%). Comparing with the 2019 levels for this month of October, the Canary Islands, which is in its high season, recovers 89% of international arrivals; The Balearic Islands, 79%; Andalusia, 75% and the Valencian Community, 74%.
By airports, Madrid Barajas led the arrival of international passengers (18.9% of the total), followed by Barcelona (15.5%) and Palma de Mallorca (14.6%).
Of the total of 5,528,624 international passengers arriving in Spain in October, 59.1% flew on low-cost airlines, while the remaining 40.9% opted for traditional airlines.