Passenger traffic up to 32 million in Barcelona airport

Barcelona's airport saw a rise in passenger traffic this August, with an increase of 5.2% compared to 2016, amidst the chaos caused by airport staff strikes, with holidaymakers facing delays of 3 hours or more at security checks.

4.9 million people passed through Barcelona El Prat in the busiest month of the year. So far in 2017, the airport has seen an overall increase of 7.9% passengers, as the number of travelers using Catalonia's busiest airport exceeded 32 million. These unprecedented figures fall 8,000 people short of the total number of passengers who flew through Madrid's Barajas airport.

Flights from outside the European Union rose by 14.2%, while domestic flights increased by 4.1%. Flights to Asia and the Pacific saw the biggest increase of 115.9%, followed by flights to the Caribbean and Latin America which grew by 31.3%, followed by North America seeing a 27.3% growth.

Throughout the month of August, the airport dealt with a total of 31,495 take-offs and landings, 3.4% more than last year.

The amount of cargo managed by El Prat airport also rose. 13,362 tons of goods were transported in August, 31% more than last year.

Already in 2017, airport staff has handled a total of 99,064 tons, 17.9% more than last year.