Spanish airport operator Aena's nine-month profit rises 12%

MADRID, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Spanish airport operator Aena said on Wednesday its net profit in the first nine months rose 12% from the same period a year ago, while passenger traffic at its Spanish airports grew at a faster pace than its forecast for the whole year.

The company is benefiting from a diversion of travel demand towards Spain and other southern European countries since spring, as the region is seen as a safe tourist destination while the Iran war has affected travel to locations in and around the Middle East.

• Aena's airports in Spain handled 257.2 million passengers during the first nine months of 2026, up 4.1% year-on-year and above its estimate of 3% growth in passenger traffic this year.

• The company posted a net profit of €1.77 billion ($1.97 billion) between January and September, in line with analysts' average forecast.

• Revenue rose 10% to €5.28 billion in January-September, below analysts' average forecast of €5.69 billion.

• Aena attributed its results to passenger traffic growth and higher airline fees.

• Around 60% of passengers using its Spanish airports during the period travelled to or from other European countries.

• The operator had raised its 2026 forecast for growth in passenger traffic to 3% in July, due to strong arrivals in Spain, after previously expecting 1.3% growth for the year.

• Airlines operating in Spain plan to offer 145.6 million seats for the upcoming winter season, 5.5% more than during the previous October-March period, airline lobby ALA said this week.($1 = 0.8981 euros)

(Reporting by Corina Pons; Editing by David Latona)