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The Spanish Air Transport Model. An Analysis of Its Efficiency and Sustainability.

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Spain as a Global Benchmark

The Spanish air market consistently accounts for more than 3% of global passenger volume, making it the leading air market in Europe for the first time since the pandemic and the third largest worldwide in terms of international traffic.

Air transport in Spain represents 10.8% of GDP and more than 2 million jobs.

Spain ranks third in Europe in total connectivity and sixth in direct connectivity.

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A Successful Model of Competitiveness and Efficiency

Spain maintains a strong position in the global air transport landscape. According to forecasts from the main international organizations in the sector, it will continue to be a top-tier origin and destination, consistently ranking among the top 5 most important air markets in the coming years.
The rapid recovery of the Spanish airport network following the pandemic is reflected in the figures achieved: in 2023, it served more passengers than in 2019, also reaching another record of 309.3 million passengers and 2.36 million operations in 2024.

 

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Key Factors Explaining the Spanish Case

The Spanish air transport model is characterized by technical, political, and social consensus. Spain has experienced orderly growth of its airport network, increasing traffic by 350% over the past 30 years.
It has a solid regulatory framework that ensures balanced and efficient development, with independent bodies promoting operational efficiency and service quality. Furthermore, the institutional model is designed to ensure the system’s stability, transparency, and efficiency.

 

The Global Challenge: Sustainability

It is essential to consider rigorous information that accurately measures the contribution of air transport to greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, providing a cumulative calculation from the perspective of infrastructure and a comprehensive analysis of its life cycle is crucial.

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The Spanish Air Transport Model

The Spanish Air Transport Model flecha

Autores

Javier Anibarro

Javier Anibarro

Expert in Transport Economics and Policy

Javier Anibarro

Economist with more than 30 years of experience, he has been with the company since 2007. He has worked in several companies related to transport consultancy and has worked as professor at the Universities of Vigo and Carlos III of Madrid. At different stages, he has also been an advisor in the Economic Buerau of the President of the Government, where he oversaw infrastructure and transport issues, and in the Cabinets of the Secretary of State and the Minister of Transport.

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Miguel de Bernardo

Miguel de Bernardo

Senior Airport Planner

Miguel de Bernardo

Senior Airport Planner with more than 25 years of experience, he has been with Ineco since 1998. He has developed his entire career in the field of airport consultancy, both in Spain and in international projects. He has led the development of Master Plans and Functional Designs for terminal buildings at airports in Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East, for public and private clients, advising organisations and authorities as well as operators and concessionaires. In-depth knowledge of the aviation sector as a whole and of the needs and requirements for the development of its infrastructures.

María López-Mateos

María López-Mateos

Civil Engineer specialising in Transport

María López-Mateos

Civil Engineer specialising in Transport from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, with more than 20 years of experience in the field of transport planning and consultancy. Throughout her career at Ineco, she has worked in the management of national and international projects, with a special focus on rail and freight transport. She has led projects in areas such as rail strategy, intermodality studies and feasibility assessments, providing expert advice to various public and private entities.