Valencia Airport (Manises) has achieved a historic milestone in its growth, as official data released by Aena (the Spanish airport authority) and the Generalitat Valenciana on January 13, 2026, confirms that the airport saw its most successful year ever in 2025. With 11.8 million passengers passing through the facility, the airport has set an all-time record, reflecting a 9.6% increase in traffic from the 10.8 million passengers recorded in 2024. This growth marks a significant moment for Valencia Airport, which continues to play a crucial role in the global tourism industry and Spain’s aviation network.
As the airport continues to grow, a new wave of international connections is being introduced, including exciting new transatlantic and European routes for summer 2026. These additions will allow travelers from around the world to access Valencia more easily than ever before, reinforcing its position as a vibrant, international hub.
Who Is Behind the Expansion and What Does It Mean for the Future?
The Spanish Ministry of Transport and the Generalitat Valenciana are leading efforts to enhance Valencia Airport’s position as a key player in international travel. According to the report, Valencia Airport handled over 84,000 aircraft movements in 2025, a testament to its growing importance in both domestic and international air traffic.
Passenger demographics show that international traffic was a significant driver behind this growth, accounting for about 72% of the airport’s total passenger volume. The largest international markets for Valencia included Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. This surge in international traffic is supported by the new routes and additional flights being introduced as part of the 2026 summer program.
The recent surge in passenger numbers has also led to a strategic investment plan aimed at preparing the airport for future growth. This includes a €400 million expansion plan, which is designed to increase the airport’s capacity to 15 million passengers annually, ensuring it remains competitive and able to meet rising demand.
What Are the New Routes and Key Markets for Summer 2026?
Valencia Airport is making a bold push to expand its international reach in summer 2026, with a variety of new routes designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers. These new routes will not only expand Valencia’s global connections but also introduce passengers to exciting destinations across Europe, North America, and North Africa.
New Transatlantic Routes
Valencia will also establish its first-ever direct transatlantic connection with Montreal in Canada. The route, operated by Air Transat, will begin as a seasonal service, operating weekly from June to October 2026. This direct link between Valencia and Montreal offers North American travelers an exciting new option to visit Spain’s vibrant cultural hub. The flight will operate every Wednesday, providing a convenient departure schedule for those looking to explore Valencia and beyond.
Additionally, the airport will launch a direct service to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, with two weekly flights, starting in June 2026. This expansion to North Africa significantly enhances Valencia’s connectivity with Morocco and opens new opportunities for both leisure and business travelers.
New European Connections
Valencia is also expanding its European network with several new routes for summer 2026. These include:
- Rome Fiumicino (Italy): Daily service starting June 1, 2026, operated by ITA Airways.
- Helsinki (Finland): Twice-weekly flights (Tuesdays and Saturdays) starting in April with Finnair.
- London Gatwick (UK): Daily flights by Wizz Air, complementing existing flights to Luton.
- Lille (France): Twice-weekly service (Thursdays and Sundays) starting May 21, 2026, with Volotea.
- Oslo (Norway): Weekly service starting June 21, 2026, with Norwegian Air.
- Florence (Italy): Twice-weekly service (Tuesdays and Saturdays) starting September 2026, with Volotea.
- Warsaw Modlin (Poland): Recovered service for summer 2026, operated by Ryanair.
These new routes reflect the airport’s push to connect Valencia to major cities in Europe and enhance its appeal as a tourism and business hub.
How Are These New Routes Being Supported by the Local Government?
The Generalitat Valenciana has been proactive in supporting these new routes through its Aero-positioning Plan. This initiative provides incentives for airlines to maintain year-round international connectivity, ensuring that the airport continues to receive direct flights from key global markets. The new international services will also complement the existing network, which is already popular with **travelers from Italy, Germany, the UK, and other parts of Europe.
The Aero-positioning Plan plays a vital role in supporting the long-term success of Valencia Airport’s expansion, ensuring that it remains a strong competitor in Spain’s aviation sector. By offering incentives to airlines that maintain regular flight schedules, Valencia is poised to continue attracting more international travelers in the coming years.
What Are the Airport’s Future Expansion Plans?
Valencia Airport’s remarkable growth in 2025 has highlighted the need for a major infrastructure upgrade. The airport’s capacity has already been pushed to its operational limits, with the current infrastructure originally designed for a maximum of 10.5 million passengers. With passenger numbers now exceeding 11 million, an urgent need for expansion has become clear.
To address this, the Spanish Ministry of Transport has announced a €400 million investment for Valencia Airport to fund a large-scale expansion project scheduled for 2027–2031. This project will focus on a terminal expansion, the modernization of air traffic systems, and the creation of additional passenger facilities to increase the airport’s capacity to 15 million passengers annually.
As part of this expansion, the airport will also work on streamlining passenger processing and improving terminal operations to ensure smooth travel experiences, especially during the peak tourist seasons such as the Fallas festival.
Conclusion
Valencia Airport has marked an extraordinary year in 2025, surpassing 11.8 million passengers and establishing itself as a growing hub for international flights. The addition of new transatlantic and European routes for summer 2026 will further enhance the airport’s status as a key player in Spain’s aviation sector. With Montreal, Rabat, and several major European cities now included in the airport’s network, Valencia is well on its way to becoming a leading travel destination in the Mediterranean region. As Aena continues to support Valencia’s growth, the airport’s future looks bright, with €400 million in investments earmarked for modernization and expansion, ensuring the facility can meet growing demand while maintaining high service standards.
Image: © 2026 Aena
The post Valencia Airport Breaks Records in 2025 with More Than Eleven Million Passengers, Announces New Transatlantic and European Routes for Summer 2026 to Canada, Morocco, Italy, Finland, and More appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
