Almeria transport: Airport passenger numbers soar as bus strike disrupts city travel

Transport is making headlines in Almeria for very different reasons, with the airport reporting another sharp rise in passenger numbers while the city’s urban bus network faces disruption from indefinite strike action. September brought more than 105,000 passengers through Almeria Airport, while Surbus users are being warned of reduced services and possible delays.

Almeria Airport passenger numbers rise 20.3 per cent

Almeria Airport recorded 105,225 passengers in September, up 20.3 per cent on the same month last year and averaging more than 3,500 travellers a day.

The increase was driven by strong growth in both domestic and international traffic. Of the 104,846 passengers using commercial flights, 39,984 travelled to or from Spanish destinations, an increase of 21.8 per cent, while international traffic rose 18.7 per cent to 64,862 passengers.

The UK remained comfortably Almeria’s largest international market, accounting for 38,053 passengers during September. Belgium followed with 8,239, Poland with 5,073, the Czech Republic with 4,339 and the Netherlands with 3,535.

Poland recorded particularly strong growth, with passenger numbers almost three times higher than in September 2025. Traffic with Hungary increased 53 per cent, Portugal 39.4 per cent and the Czech Republic 33.2 per cent.

The airport also handled 1,519 aircraft movements during September, including 943 commercial flights, up 13.8 per cent.

Growth has been sustained throughout 2026. Between January and September, Almeria Airport welcomed 770,346 passengers, 19.7 per cent more than during the same period last year.

International travel has performed particularly strongly, with 401,814 passengers during the first nine months, representing an increase of 23 per cent.

Indefinite bus strike brings disruption across Almeria

Almeria’s urban bus workers have begun an indefinite strike after last-minute talks failed to produce an agreement, with further demonstrations expected to disrupt travel across the city.

The strike began on Tuesday, October 20, following unsuccessful negotiations involving Surbus workers at the Andalusian Labour Dispute Resolution System, SERCLA.

Minimum services have been set at 50 per cent. The workers’ committee had proposed 30 per cent on routes serving hospitals and 25 per cent elsewhere, without additional reinforcement services.

Further action is already planned.

A larger demonstration is scheduled for Monday, October 26. Workers plan to march along Avenida Federico Garcia Lorca, starting from the bus stop by Colegio Stella Maris. The route will continue to Calle Murcia before heading towards Plaza de las Velas.

The dispute centres on working conditions and pay. Surbus has offered a 3.5 per cent salary increase, but no agreement was reached before the strike began.

Passengers using Almeria’s urban buses should therefore expect reduced services and possible delays while the indefinite action continues.