Spanish airport operator AENA Aeropuertos recorded a double-digit increase in commercial turnover last year, as duty free revenue rose by 13.6% to reach €285.2 million.

Total commercial revenue grew to €948.8 million (+10.2%) while ordinary revenue reached €939.8m (+10.5%).

In a results statement, AENA said the performances can be attributed to the impact of improved terms in contracts, favourable displays in concession sales, and the evolution of minimum annual guarantee rents.

World Duty Free Group, part of Dufry, remains the market force in Spain, operating concessions in key tourist strongholds such as Alicante, Almería, Barcelona, Bilbao, Gerona, Ibiza, Jerez de la Frontera, Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Menorca, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

AENA’s total consolidated revenue reached €3,772.5m (+7.2%), 25.1% of which relates to commercial revenue.

Meanwhile, consolidated net profit soared by 39.7% to reach €1,164.1m, which the operator attributed to ‘positive business and financial results’, a statement read.

EBITDA stood at €2,293.6m – an increase of +9.3% year-on-year.

TRAFFIC GAINS

AENA handled 244.8 million passengers (+11.4%) last year – a new traffic record for Spain’s largest airport operator.

Of this figure, 230.2 million passed through AENA’s Spanish airports (+11%), with Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas’ 50.4 million leading the pack in terms of total volume of passengers served, followed by Barcelona-El Prat at 44.2 million.

The strong upward trend in traffic was also visible at AENA’s consortium operation at London Luton Airport, which itself handled a new record of 14.5 million (+18.5%) year-on-year.

The share of AENA’s Spanish airport traffic from international and domestic travellers remains weighted at 70% and 30%, respectively, while international and domestic traffic grew by 12% and 8.8%, respectively.

In its macro highlights, the operator notes the ‘looming uncertainty associated with Brexit’ in relation to commercial activity, as well as rising inflation in Eurozone countries.