Spain's Aena airport fees rise 0.33%

Airlines using Aena airports face a 0.33% rise in airport fees each year after Spain’s Cabinet approved the final DORA III plan in Madrid on 15 September. The Airline Association (ALA) says the decision scales back Aena’s earlier demands, but remains far from the 4.9% cut sought by carriers. ALA president Javier Gándara wants the new tariff path protected for the whole regulatory period.

Europa Press

He warned against what the association calls disproportionate and unjustified attempts to change prices through mechanisms in the regulatory framework.

Airlines argue traffic growth supports a cut

ALA says air traffic rose 3.8% from January to August 2026, reaching 225 million passengers. It argues that growth, alongside adjusted capital costs and operating costs, left room to reduce airport fees.

The association also wants traffic forecasts to track the real picture more closely. It says the National Commission on Markets and Competition, CNMC, has revised Aena’s traffic estimates upwards each year, and is calling for a legal change to allow fees to be adjusted afterwards to match actual traffic.

Government points to airports under pressure

Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Óscar Puente said the investment package would prepare Spain’s airport infrastructure for record passenger numbers while strengthening competitiveness and mobility.

Some airports are already close to their capacity limits, he said. Puente argued that the plan is needed to keep the network running smoothly and support its development in the years ahead.

Aena airport fees rise 0.33% a year across Spain

Airlines argue traffic growth supports a cut

Government points to airports under pressure