Air passengers in Spain
Spain: Air passengers was 94.10 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Air passengers in Spain, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2023, air passengers in Spain stood at 94.10 million. That is the highest value across all 54 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.3% on the previous year and up 95.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in Spain peaked at 94.10 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 6.35 million, in 1970.
Spain ranks 11th of 183 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in Spain, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 6.35 million | — |
| 1971 | 7.51 million | +18.2% |
| 1972 | 8.65 million | +15.3% |
| 1973 | 9.96 million | +15.1% |
| 1974 | 10.20 million | +2.3% |
| 1975 | 10.96 million | +7.5% |
| 1976 | 11.80 million | +7.7% |
| 1977 | 13.33 million | +12.9% |
| 1978 | 15.37 million | +15.3% |
| 1979 | 15.68 million | +2.0% |
| 1980 | 15.09 million | -3.8% |
| 1981 | 14.60 million | -3.2% |
| 1982 | 14.64 million | +0.2% |
| 1983 | 14.54 million | -0.7% |
| 1984 | 14.28 million | -1.7% |
| 1985 | 14.85 million | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 15.40 million | +3.7% |
| 1987 | 16.55 million | +7.5% |
| 1988 | 18.98 million | +14.7% |
| 1989 | 20.27 million | +6.8% |
| 1990 | 21.65 million | +6.8% |
| 1991 | 20.94 million | -3.3% |
| 1992 | 23.39 million | +11.7% |
| 1993 | 22.28 million | -4.7% |
| 1994 | 22.36 million | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 25.77 million | +15.2% |
| 1996 | 27.76 million | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 30.32 million | +9.2% |
| 1998 | 31.59 million | +4.2% |
| 1999 | 33.56 million | +6.2% |
| 2000 | 39.71 million | +18.3% |
| 2001 | 41.47 million | +4.4% |
| 2002 | 40.38 million | -2.6% |
| 2003 | 42.51 million | +5.3% |
| 2004 | 45.54 million | +7.1% |
| 2005 | 49.85 million | +9.5% |
| 2006 | 53.12 million | +6.6% |
| 2007 | 60.66 million | +14.2% |
| 2008 | 55.21 million | -9.0% |
| 2009 | 49.29 million | -10.7% |
| 2010 | 52.85 million | +7.2% |
| 2011 | 52.74 million | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 48.09 million | -8.8% |
| 2013 | 48.06 million | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 53.07 million | +10.4% |
| 2015 | 60.56 million | +14.1% |
| 2016 | 66.67 million | +10.1% |
| 2017 | 71.60 million | +7.4% |
| 2018 | 80.71 million | +12.7% |
| 2019 | 88.24 million | +9.3% |
| 2020 | 26.56 million | -69.9% |
| 2021 | 43.44 million | +63.6% |
| 2022 | 80.91 million | +86.3% |
| 2023 | 94.10 million | +16.3% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 94.10 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.14 million, 10.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Spain's 94.10 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.87 million, 24.3× the median. (49 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Air passengers in Spain changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +86.3% | 43.44 million | 80.91 million |
| 2020 | -69.9% | 88.24 million | 26.56 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.98 million | 6.35 million | 15.68 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 15.92 million | 14.28 million | 20.27 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 25.96 million | 20.94 million | 33.56 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 47.78 million | 39.71 million | 60.66 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 62.26 million | 48.06 million | 88.24 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.25 million | 26.56 million | 94.10 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More reference data data for Spain
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.18 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 11.76 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.898 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 11.76 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.67 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 11.06 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 52.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.89 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in Spain?
- Air passengers in Spain was 94.10 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 94.10 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.35 million in 1970.
- How does Spain rank for air passengers?
- Spain ranks 11th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is up 95.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 54 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.