Low-cost airlines defy fuel crisis as millions flock to Spain’s airports

If you have tried booking a flight to or from Spain this year, you may have noticed that the appetite for air travel has not gone away, even as airlines face rising fuel bills and uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East. Millions of passengers have continued to pass through the country’s airports, with budget airlines playing a major role in keeping traffic moving.

Spain’s airports handled a record 257.2 million passengers between January and September 2026, an increase of 4.1 per cent compared with the same period last year. The latest figures underline how strongly low-cost carriers have contributed to demand during the busy summer travel season.

Ryanair leads the low-cost race

Ryanair remained Spain’s busiest low-cost airline during the July-to-September period, carrying 18.51 million passengers, up 1.9 per cent on the previous year. Vueling followed with 10.69 million, an increase of 5.4 per cent, while easyJet carried six million, up 1.2 per cent. The strongest growth came from smaller competitors. Wizz Air increased passenger numbers by 43.7 per cent, reaching the top ranks of airlines operating in Spain.

Volotea grew by 17.5 per cent, Jet2 by 10 per cent and Iberia Express by 9.4 per cent. The figures show that the summer increase was not confined to Spain’s three biggest low-cost operators. The airlines have benefited from demand for flights linking Spain with other European countries, including holiday destinations. Spain has also attracted travellers seeking a destination perceived as safer amid geopolitical instability, according to the Cinco Días report.

Fuel costs put pressure on airlines

The rise in passenger numbers has come as airlines contend with a steep increase in operating costs. European jet fuel prices rose by 122 per cent over a year, according to indices compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and cited by Cinco Días. The conflict in the Middle East has added to uncertainty over fuel prices and airline planning.

The pressure is already shaping decisions. Ryanair has adjusted capacity at several regional Spanish airports while focusing on larger airports and popular sun-and-beach destinations. IAG, the parent company of Iberia and Vueling, has also sought to contain capacity to limit the impact of higher kerosene costs.

The financial strain is particularly visible among smaller operators. Wizz Air reported losses for its first fiscal quarter, which ended in June, while Volotea has entered preliminary creditor-protection proceedings as it works to restructure its debt. Both still ranked among the 20 largest airline operators in Spain during the summer period.

Spanish airports continue to grow

The increase in low-cost traffic formed part of a wider rise across Aena’s Spanish airport network. In September alone, airports handled 31.7 million passengers, 4.2 per cent more than in the same month of 2025. Aircraft movements rose by 5.3 per cent, although freight volumes fell by 5.7 per cent.

Madrid-Barajas recorded 6.3 million passengers in September, up 6.6 per cent year on year. Barcelona-El Prat handled 5.4 million, while Palma de Mallorca recorded 4.2 million. Málaga-Costa del Sol also saw a strong month, with 2.8 million passengers, an increase of 6.8 per cent.

For travellers, the figures show that demand for flights to and from Spain remained strong through the main summer season. For airlines, however, more passengers have not removed the challenge of keeping flights profitable as fuel and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on the industry.