December is shaping up to reflect a near-normal flight schedule between Spain and the rest of the world, with seats planned approaching pre-pandemic figures. In total, about 7.07 million seats are on the calendar for the final month of the year, signaling a robust 97.4% recovery rate when compared with December 2019, according to data released by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism on Wednesday. This snapshot shows Spain’s air network regaining vitality as tourism and trade activity rebound from the pandemic era. [Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism]
Several key markets stand out for December, delivering higher scheduled capacities than December 2019. In particular, nine major origins and destinations exceed pre-crisis levels, underscoring a renewed confidence in Spain’s connectivity. Poland leads with a notable 47% rise over 2019, followed by Mexico at 23%, Ireland at 20%, and Portugal at 15.6%. France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway also report post-pandemic gains, with France at 3.2%, the Netherlands at 7.5%, Switzerland at 1.6%, Denmark at 5.1%, and Norway at 7.4%. The United Kingdom is very close to its 2019 volumes, reflecting a near-complete revival with a 99.6% recovery rate. [Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism]
Industry Minister Reyes Maroto highlighted these figures as evidence of the air sector’s growing resilience and Spain’s capability to sustain momentum despite ongoing inflationary pressures. The data point to expectations that activity levels could approach or match those seen in 2019, signaling a strong rebound in both passenger demand and commercial aviation operations. [Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism]
Importantly, the recovery pace appears to be accelerating through December, a month already showing the highest recovery percentage of the year. Analysts note that tourism activity is stabilizing month after month, supported by sustained consumer demand, easing travel restrictions, and a gradual restoration of international travel confidence. Industry observers expect continued strength into the winter season, with operators and airports adapting schedules to capture seasonal travel trends and ensure capacity aligns with demand. [Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism]