Airlines Clash With AENA Over Spanish Airport Charges for 2027-2031
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
IATA and ALA are demanding a 4.9% annual cut in Spanish airport charges, clashing with operator AENA's proposed 3.8% hike for the 2027-2031 period.
Key Takeaways
- •Propose a 4.9% annual reduction in Spanish airport charges for 2027-2031.
- •Contest airport operator AENA's counter-proposal for a 3.8% annual fee increase.
- •Allege AENA earned €1.3 billion in excess returns due to inaccurate traffic forecasts.
- •Argue that fee reductions can coexist with nearly €10 billion in airport investment.
A major dispute has erupted over Spanish airport charges, with leading airline associations proposing significant fee reductions that directly oppose the rate hikes sought by the country's primary airport operator. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Spanish Airline Association (ALA) have formally called for a 4.9% annual reduction in charges for the 2027-2031 regulatory period. This proposal stands in stark contrast to the 3.8% annual increase requested by AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea), the state-owned company managing 46 airports in Spain.
The conflict centers on the upcoming five-year regulatory plan, known as the Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria (DORA III). Airlines argue that their proposed fee reduction would not compromise essential upgrades, contending it would still permit nearly €10 billion in airport investment. They assert that lower charges are critical for maintaining Spain's economic competitiveness as a top tourist destination by controlling airline operating costs and, consequently, airfares for passengers.
Airlines Allege Regulatory Mismanagement
The core of the airlines' argument rests on claims of AENA's past financial performance and forecasting inaccuracies. According to IATA, passenger traffic between 2017 and 2025 was 15.3% higher than AENA's official forecasts used in previous regulatory periods. This discrepancy, the association claims, allowed AENA to generate €1.3 billion in excess regulated returns. The airline body further states that in 2024 alone, AENA achieved a regulated return of 10.2%, which was four percentage points above its expected return, resulting in airlines and passengers allegedly overpaying by nearly €400 million.
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA's Regional Vice President for Europe, criticized the operator's practices. “AENA has gamed the regulatory system for years, earning millions of euros more than it should have, at the expense of passengers, airlines, and the Spanish economy,” Schvartzman stated. “This must stop. AENA has generated excessive returns through a creative approach to forecasting, and its request for further increases is absurd.”
Javier Gándara, President of ALA, which represents approximately 85% of Spain's air traffic, emphasized that airport investments are financed entirely by charges paid by airlines and passengers. He noted that while investments are necessary at capacity-constrained airports, this need is compatible with a downward trajectory for fees.
AENA's Investment and Fee Proposal
In response, AENA has outlined an investment plan totaling nearly €13 billion for the DORA III period. The operator argues that the proposed 3.8% annual charge increase is necessary to fund critical infrastructure projects and maintain service quality across its network. According to AENA's proposal, this increase would add an average of just €0.43 annually to the per-passenger charge, a figure it presents as a modest adjustment to support long-term development.
The DORA framework is designed to balance the needs of the monopoly airport operator with those of airlines and the public. All proposals are subject to review and supervision by Spain's competition regulator, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), which will play a decisive role in arbitrating the conflicting submissions.
What Comes Next
The formal proposals from both sides mark the beginning of a critical negotiation and review phase. The CNMC will now analyze the competing plans, considering AENA’s investment needs against the airlines' evidence of past over-performance and the potential economic impact of higher charges. The regulator's final decision will shape the financial landscape for Spanish aviation for the latter half of the decade.
The outcome will have significant implications for airline route planning and capacity deployment in Spain. Airlines have consistently advocated for lower airport charges to reduce operational burdens, a factor that becomes more critical amid fluctuating fuel costs and competitive pressures. The final DORA III framework, expected to be approved before the 2027 implementation, will be a key indicator of Spain's regulatory approach to its vital aviation and tourism sectors.
Why This Matters
This dispute highlights the fundamental tension in aviation between infrastructure funding and operational cost control. For airlines, airport charges are a significant, non-negotiable expense that directly impacts profitability and ticket prices. For airport operators, these charges are the primary revenue source for maintaining and expanding facilities to meet growing demand. The Spanish regulator's decision will serve as a benchmark for how authorities balance a national airport operator's financial health with the broader economic benefits of a competitive and low-cost aviation market.
Trusted commercial aviation news and airline industry reporting are available at flying.flights. Follow aviation sustainability efforts, emissions research, and green initiatives in the Environmental section at flying.flights/environmental.
Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
Visit ProfileYou Might Also Like
Discover more aviation news based on similar topics
US Airlines Fear EU-Wide Impact from Dublin Airport Cap Ruling
US airlines warn an EU court ruling on Dublin's passenger cap could allow planners across the bloc to unilaterally restrict airport capacity.
House Rejects ROTOR Act Mandating Aircraft Locator Systems
The U.S. House failed to pass the ROTOR Act, a bill requiring collision avoidance systems on all aircraft following last year's fatal midair collision.
US Eliminates 10% Tariff on Brazilian Aircraft Exports After Court Ruling
The US has eliminated a 10% tariff on Brazilian aircraft, a move that levels the playing field for manufacturer Embraer against its global competitors.
DGCA Issues Strict Safety Mandates for Indian Charter Operators
India's DGCA has issued stringent new safety mandates for non-scheduled operators, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy and prioritizing pilot authority.
Omni Air ICE Flight Grounded for 13 Hours in NH Blizzard
An Omni Air charter flight for ICE was grounded for over 13 hours in a New Hampshire blizzard after the flight crew exceeded mandatory duty time limits.
FAA Proposes Stricter A320 Door Inspections for 1,924 U.S. Jets
The FAA proposed a new airworthiness directive for 1,924 Airbus A320 family jets to address door stop fitting cracks, increasing inspection frequency.