In the first half of 2023, the airports of the Aena network recorded a significant increase in passenger numbers. This news is of great relevance in the financial and economic spheres as it shows a progressive recovery of the aviation sector after the negative effects of the pandemic. In this article, we take a closer look at the data and trends observed during this period.
23.4% increase in passenger numbers
According to Aena, the airports in its network closed the first half of 2023 with a total of 129,447,124 passengers. This value corresponds to an increase of 23.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. In addition, compared to the same half of 2019, an increase of 1.2% can be observed, which indicates a gradual recovery in travel demand.
Increase in operating numbers and goods traffic
Not only the number of passengers has increased, but also the number of operations performed at the airports of the Aena network. A total of 1,130,758 operations were performed between January and June 2023, an increase of 10.5% compared to the same period last year. Compared to 2019, an increase of 0.5% can be observed.
In terms of freight traffic, the airports in the Aena network handled a total of 507,543 tons in the first half of 2023. This represents an increase of 2.8% compared to the same period last year and 1.6% above the data for 2019. This increase in the movement of goods is a positive sign for the economy as it points to a reactivation of international trade.
Aena’s stock price continues its upward trend and is close to its high for the year and is one of the values that rose the most in the Ibex 35 over the year
Details for the month of June
In the month of June, the airports of the Aena network registered a total of 26,504,920 passengers. This corresponds to an increase of 9% compared to the same month last year, but 2.8% less than in 2019. Nevertheless, demand was high in June, as the high occupancy rate of over 88% shows. These values are higher than those of 2019 and the first months of 2023.
Changes in the flight schedule can also be observed in the month of June. Although airlines have postponed some flights, the overall flight schedule was similar to that of the same month of 2019. This data indicates a stabilization in flight scheduling, which could be a sign of confidence in the recovery of the sector.
Analysis by airports
In the month of June, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport recorded the highest number of passengers with a total of 5,134,856 passengers. This corresponds to growth of 13.1% compared to June of the previous year. Next comes Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport with 4,462,889 passengers (+9.8%); Palma de Mallorca with 3,807,844 passengers (+2.5%); Malaga-Costa del Sol with 2,179,575 passengers (+14.3%); Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, with 1,505,989 passengers (+12%); Ibiza with 1,196,904 passengers (+3.8%); and Gran Canaria with 988,845 passengers (+6.7%).
In terms of flight movements, Madrid-Barajas Airport was the busiest in June, with a total of 32,618 flight movements (+6.5%). Barcelona-El Prat follows with 28,264 flights (+6.1%); Palma de Mallorca with 26,361 operations (-0.1%); Malaga-Costa del Sol with 15,447 flights (+9.8%); Ibiza with 10,599 operations (-1.4%); Gran Canaria with 9,569 movements (+6.6%); and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández with 9,454 landings and take-offs (+6.9%).
Madrid-Barajas Airport recorded the highest volume of freight traffic with a total of 51,363 tons (+12.5%). Barcelona-El Prat followed with 12,603 tons (-4.6%); Vitoria with 6,458 tons (-2.6%); and Zaragoza with 5,922 tons (-22.4%). This data reflects the importance of these airports as logistics and cargo centers.
At the level of premium indicators for investment strategies, AENA is strong on the stock market, even though the indicator has come down from a very strong reading. Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering the next moves in the stock market.
