Sobre Aena - History
Sobre Aena
Aena's history
History
1991
Aena was born, under Article 82 of Law 4 of 1990 on the General State Budget. It was effectively established on 19 June 1991. It began operating at airports on 2 November 1991.
1998
Aena International was created as Aena's vehicle for its business development objectives outside Spain. A year earlier, it made its first foray into the international arena by starting international activity directly with the concession contract for the Barranquilla airport (Colombia).
2000-2010
Aena developed three major plans that involve the historic improvement and expansion of three of its major peninsular airports: Barajas Plan, Barcelona Plan & Malaga Plan. In the same decade, the airports of Logroño, Albacete, Burgos and Huesca-Pirineos and the heliports of Ceuta and Algeciras were opened to air traffic, making up the most important network of airports in the international sphere.
2013
Aena purchased London Luton Airport, the UK's fifth largest airport.
2014
The Spanish Government gave private capital a stake in Aena. On 13 June, the Council of Ministers approved the privatisation of 49% of the share capital of Aena Aeropuertos. At the same time, an airport regulatory framework, called DORA, was being developed, which included 5-year plans and established service quality levels, airport capacity standards, minimum service and investment conditions and the tariff framework.
2015
Aena hit the stock market on 11 February. It began its journey on the stock exchange at midday with an increase of 12.24% with respect to its starting price of 58 euros. It closed its first day on the stock exchange with a rise of 20.69%, leaving the share price at 70 euros.
2017
The Council of Ministers approved the first DORA (2017-2021).
2018
Aena presented its 2018-2021 Strategic Plan with the aim of consolidating its strong growth and boosting new lines of business that generate value.
2019
Aena Brasil was founded following the award of the 30-year management of six airports in northeast Brazil (Maceió, Aracajú, Campina Grande, Joao Pessoa and Juazeiro do Norte).
2019
2019 ended as the year with the best traffic in the history of the Aena network, with an all-time record of operations (2.4 million), passengers (275.2 million) and air cargo (1,068,395 tonnes of freight).
2020
The coronavirus pandemic made Aena's traffic and economic numbers nosedive to unprecedented levels. The company softened the blow by reacting quickly and efficiently, demonstrating its ability to adapt its infrastructures immediately and in record time to the uncertain reality caused by the COVID-19 virus. It reorganised its activity, following the health and safety recommendations of international organisations, preserving at all times the safety and health of travellers and workers.
2021
Aena faces the future committed to people, the environment, innovation and the ongoing pursuit for excellence and service quality. This is contemplated in the Airport Regulation Document for the period 2022-2026, which was born with the recovery of traffic, sustainability and innovation among its objectives and stands as the framework that will promote environmentally sustainable and quality recovery in the air sector and in tourism.
2022
Aena Internacional was awarded the concession of 11 airports in four states (São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Pará) in Brazil.
2023
The airports of the Aena network in Spain closed 2023 with an all-time record number of passengers. In addition, Aena began to manage Congonhas Airport, the second busiest airport in Brazil.
2024
Update of the objectives of the Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2026, due to the positive development of the economy and a faster than expected recovery of passenger traffic in 2022.
Aena’s History
The creation of Aena is associated with the process of liberalisation and market access that took place at the end of the 1980s in European international air transport. In the first decade since it began to provide airport services, on 2 November 1991, Aena (then known as Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea) began an extensive and complete modernisation of Spanish airport and air navigation facilities, placing the airports at the forefront of neighbouring countries and leading management systems in the field of international air traffic control.
After the completion of the liberalisation process of intra-European air transport, promoted by the EU, Aena fostered effective competition in ground handling, with the incorporation of several handling agents, facilitated the entry into the market of numerous airlines and watched how new low-cost companies in Europe emerged first-hand. This ground-breaking offer of traffic services at reduced prices was complemented by offers from traditional companies. And both generated rates of growth in air traffic in Europe that lasted until the middle of the first decade of the 21st century and for which Aena's structure was prepared. Also between the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, Aena began to develop a modern business model and to deploy its international activity, with an organisation that today manages air traffic at airports in 5 countries.
Aena & Enaire
The implementation of a new management model in Aena, starting in the second decade of the 2000s, laid the foundations for the modernisation of the airport system, first as the public business entity Aena Aeropuertos, S.A. and, subsequently, as the state trading company Aena, S.A. At the same time, and by means of the same legislation, the public business entity Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena) was renamed Enaire. It exercised exclusively the competences in matters of navigation and airspace, as well as the national and international operational coordination of the national air traffic management network.
After the entry of 49% of private capital and a successful IPO in 2015 as an Ibex35 company, Aena drew up its first Airport Regulation Document (DORA for its initials in Spanish) in 2017 and managed the highest traffic in 2019, a record year that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, which plummeted Aena's traffic and economic figures to unprecedented levels.
During that crisis, Aena proved its willingness to adapt immediately and in record time to the uncertain reality. It went from facilitating the mobility of more than 300 million passengers on almost 3 million flights to focusing on the minimum essential and exceptional repatriation and health operations, and then adjusting to traffic demand in a progressive and safe manner, always in line with the way the pandemic panned out. To do so, it carried out various reorganisations efficiently, preserving the safety and health of passengers and workers at all times. This health safety was highlighted by prestigious international organisations, such as the Airports Council International (ACI), which awarded its airports the 'Airport Health Accreditation'.
Aena, now
The Aena of today is defined by its safe and quality service, its environmental commitment and its dedication to innovation.
With the vote on the Climate Action Plan at the Shareholders' Meeting in March 2021, Aena became the first Spanish company and one of the first in the world to report to its shareholders each year specifically on climate action. This real concern for environmental sustainability has also been reflected in the Airport Regulation Document for the next 5 years, from 2022 to 2026 (DORA II), which includes rigorous environmental parameters to guarantee airport sustainability.
Innovation and digital transformation have also become increasingly important in the management of the company, which aims to substantially improve the passenger experience and the efficiency of Aena through a strategic innovation plan.
Aena’s international project is continuing to expand with two new concessions in Brazil: ANB - Aeroportos do Nordeste do Brasil (Recife-PE, Maceió-AL, Aracaju-SE, João Pessoa-PB, Juazeiro do Norte-CE & Campina Grande-PB), in operation since 2020, and BOAB - Bloco dos Onze Aeroporto do Brasil (Congonhas-SP, Campo Grande-MS, Corumbá-MS, Ponta Porã-MS, Santarém-PA, Marabá-PA, Carajás-PA, Altamira-PA, Uberlândia-MG, Montes Claros-MG & Uberaba-MG), in operation since 2023. Both companies belong entirely to Aena and operate under the Aena Brazil brand.
Aena Brazil leads the largest network of franchised airports in Brazil with 17 facilities spread across nine states, handling over 41 million passengers in 2023, which is equal to 20% of the country’s air traffic*. Congonhas, in São Paulo, is particularly notable as it is the second largest airport in Brazil (handling 22 millions of passengers in 2023.)
Aena currently manages 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain and participates directly or indirectly in the management of another 32 airports in different countries.
*Provisional traffic data
Aena’s History
The creation of Aena is associated with the process of liberalisation and market access that took place at the end of the 1980s in European international air transport. In the first decade since it began to provide airport services, on 2 November 1991, Aena (then known as Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea) began an extensive and complete modernisation of Spanish airport and air navigation facilities, placing the airports at the forefront of neighbouring countries and leading management systems in the field of international air traffic control.
After the completion of the liberalisation process of intra-European air transport, promoted by the EU, Aena fostered effective competition in ground handling, with the incorporation of several handling agents, facilitated the entry into the market of numerous airlines and watched how new low-cost companies in Europe emerged first-hand. This ground-breaking offer of traffic services at reduced prices was complemented by offers from traditional companies. And both generated rates of growth in air traffic in Europe that lasted until the middle of the first decade of the 21st century and for which Aena's structure was prepared. Also between the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, Aena began to develop a modern business model and to deploy its international activity, with an organisation that today manages air traffic at airports in 5 countries.
Aena & Enaire
The implementation of a new management model in Aena, starting in the second decade of the 2000s, laid the foundations for the modernisation of the airport system, first as the public business entity Aena Aeropuertos, S.A. and, subsequently, as the state trading company Aena, S.A. At the same time, and by means of the same legislation, the public business entity Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena) was renamed Enaire. It exercised exclusively the competences in matters of navigation and airspace, as well as the national and international operational coordination of the national air traffic management network.
After the entry of 49% of private capital and a successful IPO in 2015 as an Ibex35 company, Aena drew up its first Airport Regulation Document (DORA for its initials in Spanish) in 2017 and managed the highest traffic in 2019, a record year that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, which plummeted Aena's traffic and economic figures to unprecedented levels.
During that crisis, Aena proved its willingness to adapt immediately and in record time to the uncertain reality. It went from facilitating the mobility of more than 300 million passengers on almost 3 million flights to focusing on the minimum essential and exceptional repatriation and health operations, and then adjusting to traffic demand in a progressive and safe manner, always in line with the way the pandemic panned out. To do so, it carried out various reorganisations efficiently, preserving the safety and health of passengers and workers at all times. This health safety was highlighted by prestigious international organisations, such as the Airports Council International (ACI), which awarded its airports the 'Airport Health Accreditation'.
Aena, now
The Aena of today is defined by its safe and quality service, its environmental commitment and its dedication to innovation.
With the vote on the Climate Action Plan at the Shareholders' Meeting in March 2021, Aena became the first Spanish company and one of the first in the world to report to its shareholders each year specifically on climate action. This real concern for environmental sustainability has also been reflected in the Airport Regulation Document for the next 5 years, from 2022 to 2026 (DORA II), which includes rigorous environmental parameters to guarantee airport sustainability.
Innovation and digital transformation have also become increasingly important in the management of the company, which aims to substantially improve the passenger experience and the efficiency of Aena through a strategic innovation plan.
Aena’s international project is continuing to expand with two new concessions in Brazil: ANB - Aeroportos do Nordeste do Brasil (Recife-PE, Maceió-AL, Aracaju-SE, João Pessoa-PB, Juazeiro do Norte-CE & Campina Grande-PB), in operation since 2020, and BOAB - Bloco dos Onze Aeroporto do Brasil (Congonhas-SP, Campo Grande-MS, Corumbá-MS, Ponta Porã-MS, Santarém-PA, Marabá-PA, Carajás-PA, Altamira-PA, Uberlândia-MG, Montes Claros-MG & Uberaba-MG), in operation since 2023. Both companies belong entirely to Aena and operate under the Aena Brazil brand.
Aena Brazil leads the largest network of franchised airports in Brazil with 17 facilities spread across nine states, handling over 41 million passengers in 2023, which is equal to 20% of the country’s air traffic*. Congonhas, in São Paulo, is particularly notable as it is the second largest airport in Brazil (handling 22 millions of passengers in 2023.)
Aena currently manages 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain and participates directly or indirectly in the management of another 32 airports in different countries.
*Provisional traffic data
Aena’s History
The creation of Aena is associated with the process of liberalisation and market access that took place at the end of the 1980s in European international air transport. In the first decade since it began to provide airport services, on 2 November 1991, Aena (then known as Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea) began an extensive and complete modernisation of Spanish airport and air navigation facilities, placing the airports at the forefront of neighbouring countries and leading management systems in the field of international air traffic control.
After the completion of the liberalisation process of intra-European air transport, promoted by the EU, Aena fostered effective competition in ground handling, with the incorporation of several handling agents, facilitated the entry into the market of numerous airlines and watched how new low-cost companies in Europe emerged first-hand. This ground-breaking offer of traffic services at reduced prices was complemented by offers from traditional companies. And both generated rates of growth in air traffic in Europe that lasted until the middle of the first decade of the 21st century and for which Aena's structure was prepared. Also between the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, Aena began to develop a modern business model and to deploy its international activity, with an organisation that today manages air traffic at airports in 5 countries.
Aena & Enaire
The implementation of a new management model in Aena, starting in the second decade of the 2000s, laid the foundations for the modernisation of the airport system, first as the public business entity Aena Aeropuertos, S.A. and, subsequently, as the state trading company Aena, S.A. At the same time, and by means of the same legislation, the public business entity Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Aena) was renamed Enaire. It exercised exclusively the competences in matters of navigation and airspace, as well as the national and international operational coordination of the national air traffic management network.
After the entry of 49% of private capital and a successful IPO in 2015 as an Ibex35 company, Aena drew up its first Airport Regulation Document (DORA for its initials in Spanish) in 2017 and managed the highest traffic in 2019, a record year that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, which plummeted Aena's traffic and economic figures to unprecedented levels.
During that crisis, Aena proved its willingness to adapt immediately and in record time to the uncertain reality. It went from facilitating the mobility of more than 300 million passengers on almost 3 million flights to focusing on the minimum essential and exceptional repatriation and health operations, and then adjusting to traffic demand in a progressive and safe manner, always in line with the way the pandemic panned out. To do so, it carried out various reorganisations efficiently, preserving the safety and health of passengers and workers at all times. This health safety was highlighted by prestigious international organisations, such as the Airports Council International (ACI), which awarded its airports the 'Airport Health Accreditation'.
Aena, now
The Aena of today is defined by its safe and quality service, its environmental commitment and its dedication to innovation.
With the vote on the Climate Action Plan at the Shareholders' Meeting in March 2021, Aena became the first Spanish company and one of the first in the world to report to its shareholders each year specifically on climate action. This real concern for environmental sustainability has also been reflected in the Airport Regulation Document for the next 5 years, from 2022 to 2026 (DORA II), which includes rigorous environmental parameters to guarantee airport sustainability.
Innovation and digital transformation have also become increasingly important in the management of the company, which aims to substantially improve the passenger experience and the efficiency of Aena through a strategic innovation plan.
Aena’s international project is continuing to expand with two new concessions in Brazil: ANB - Aeroportos do Nordeste do Brasil (Recife-PE, Maceió-AL, Aracaju-SE, João Pessoa-PB, Juazeiro do Norte-CE & Campina Grande-PB), in operation since 2020, and BOAB - Bloco dos Onze Aeroporto do Brasil (Congonhas-SP, Campo Grande-MS, Corumbá-MS, Ponta Porã-MS, Santarém-PA, Marabá-PA, Carajás-PA, Altamira-PA, Uberlândia-MG, Montes Claros-MG & Uberaba-MG), in operation since 2023. Both companies belong entirely to Aena and operate under the Aena Brazil brand.
Aena Brazil leads the largest network of franchised airports in Brazil with 17 facilities spread across nine states, handling over 41 million passengers in 2023, which is equal to 20% of the country’s air traffic*. Congonhas, in São Paulo, is particularly notable as it is the second largest airport in Brazil (handling 22 millions of passengers in 2023.)
Aena currently manages 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain and participates directly or indirectly in the management of another 32 airports in different countries.
*Provisional traffic data