Barcelona El Prat Airport had almost 3.9 million passengers in August, up 7% compared to last year

El Prat de Llobregat (ACN.) – Barcelona El Prat Airport had 3,874,131 passengers in August, up 6.9% over the same month last year (3,824,000). According to the airport’s managers, this is the highest monthly figure that Barcelona’s airport has ever achieved. The number of passengers on international flights to destinations outside the European Union increased the most by 13.4% compared to August 2011. Conversely, passengers on domestic Spanish flights have decreased by 5.9% compared to the same month last year, due to the economic crisis. Totals so far this year show that 24,122,919 people passed through Barcelona El Prat Airport, a figure which represents a 4.4% increase over the same period last year. Girona Costa Brava Airport also had success this August with 14.5% more passengers and 15% more flights compared to the same month last year. However, the number of passengers at the small Reus Airport fell by 28.5%. These negative results come after Ryanair stopped offering flights during the winter season and reduced those of the summer season.

Regarding Barcelona El Prat Airport, there has been a 40% increase in the number of passengers flying to or from the Middle East thanks to the introduction of a new daily flight to Dubai offered by Emirates Airline. The number of passengers flying to or from non-EU and non-Schengen areas has increased by 24%, mainly thanks to the Russian market, which has increased by 36% compared to August 2011.

This month also sees a return to a growth in the African market, especially to destinations in South Africa, with 14.7% more passengers. Finally the number of passengers from the UK increased by 46.8% compared to August last year.

There were 28,204 flights to and from Barcelona El Prat Airport during August, 2.4% more than in the same month in 2011. Cumulatively, there were 198,312 landings and take offs so far this year, 2,9% less than the same period in 2011.

Regarding cargo, there were 7,274 tons of transported goods in August, 6.2% more than in August 2011 and 63,076 tons transported between January and August, representing a 2.9% reduction compared to the same period in 2011.

Girona Costa Brava Aiport had 14.5% more passengers this August

Girona Costa Brava Airport continues to achieve positive results in terms of passenger traffic. In August, Girona’s Airport recorded a total of 410,326 passengers, 14.5% more than in August last year. The number of flights also increased by 15% compared to last year. These results coincide with the summer season and also the reinstatement of Ryanair’s flights, after it significantly reduced operations at the Girona Airport in the winter and summer 2011. Up until last May, Girona’s Airport experienced 20 consecutive months of falls, with overall passenger numbers in 2012 down by 9.9% compared to last year.

Reus Airport lost 28.5% of its passengers last August compared to year ago

In contrast, the number of passengers at Reus Airport fell by 28.5% this August compared to the same month in 2011. In total there were 163,024 passengers. The number of takeoffs and landings totaled 1,752, down 21% compared to last year. There were only fifty cargo flights, 94.7% less than last year. So far this year, 670,363 people passed through Reus Airport, 28.5% less than in 2011 and there was a total of 11,400 takeoffs and landings, 28.2% less. These negative results come after Ryanair stopped offering flights during the winter season and reduced those of the summer season.