
Madrid's airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), is located in the northeast of the city, in the Barajas district. It is only 8-13km from the city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. The airport is one of the largest and busiest in Europe, serving over 50 million passengers annually. It has 4 runways and 5 terminals, offering both domestic and international flights to a vast number of airlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport |
| Airport Code | MAD |
| Location | Barajas district, Madrid, Spain |
| Distance from City Centre | 12-13 km |
| Year of Construction | 1927 |
| Year of Opening | 1931 |
| Terminals | 4 passenger terminals, 1 executive terminal |
| Runways | 4 |
| Airlines | Iberia, Air Europa, Ryanair, Iberojet, and almost 100 others |
| Services | Restaurants, cafes, shops, car rentals, banks, pharmacies, post offices, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is named after Adolfo Suárez, Spain's first democratically elected prime minister
- Madrid–Barajas Airport is 12-13km from Madrid's city centre
- It is one of the busiest airports in Spain and Europe
- The airport has five terminals and four runways
- Iberia is responsible for more than 40% of Barajas's traffic

The airport is named after Adolfo Suárez, Spain's first democratically elected prime minister
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located in the Barajas district of Madrid, Spain, which is 12 kilometres northeast of the city's centre. The airport is named after Adolfo Suárez, a significant figure in Spanish politics and the country's first democratically elected prime minister.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, with its namesake, holds a special place in the country's history. Suárez was a key player in Spain's transition to democracy after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. As the first democratically elected prime minister, serving from 1976 to 1981, Suárez played a crucial role in shaping modern Spain. His contributions to the country's political landscape and his efforts to establish a democratic system are widely recognized.
Suárez's legacy is deeply intertwined with the airport, bearing his name. The honour of having one of the country's most important airports named after him reflects his impact on Spanish democracy. The airport serves as a reminder of his achievements and contributes to keeping his memory alive for both Spaniards and visitors to the country.
By naming the airport after Adolfo Suárez, Madrid pays tribute to his pivotal role in the nation's history. It stands as a testament to his dedication to democracy and his efforts to unite the country during a pivotal period in Spanish politics. The airport's name serves as a constant reminder of Suárez's contribution to the freedom and progress Spain enjoys today.
Additionally, the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is not only a hub for travel but also a symbol of national pride and a reminder of the country's democratic foundations. The airport's name ensures that Suárez's legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered by millions of travellers passing through its gates each year.
So, when visiting or passing through the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, take a moment to remember the airport's namesake and the important role he played in Spain's journey towards democracy.
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Madrid–Barajas Airport is 12-13km from Madrid's city centre
Madrid–Barajas Airport, also known as Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, is located 12-13km from Madrid's city centre. It is the main airport serving the Spanish capital and its surrounding areas. The airport is named after Adolfo Suárez, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Spain, and was renamed in 2014 as a tribute to him.
Madrid–Barajas Airport is one of the top 20 busiest airports in the world, handling the greatest amount of air traffic in Spain. In 2023, it served over 60 million passengers, and it is ranked as the fifth-busiest airport in Europe. The airport has five terminals, four runways, and handles both domestic and international flights. It is a crucial hub for travel between Europe and Latin America.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with excellent transport links and a range of transportation options available, including buses, taxis, private transfers, and car rentals. Madrid–Barajas Airport also offers a wide range of services and facilities for travellers, such as restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacies, banks, car rentals, shops, and car parking.
The airport is located in the Barajas district of Madrid, which is northeast of the city centre. The district has its own metro station on the same rail line that serves the airport, making it convenient for travellers to navigate between the airport and the city.
Madrid–Barajas Airport is an important aviation hub, not only for Spain but also for Europe and the world. Its proximity to the city centre, along with its modern infrastructure and wide range of services, makes it a convenient and efficient airport for travellers visiting or departing from Madrid.
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It is one of the busiest airports in Spain and Europe
The main airport in Madrid, Spain, is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (IATA: MAD, ICAO: LEMD). It is located only 8-13 km (5-8 miles) from Puerta del Sol, Madrid's historic centre, and is the only airport serving the area. Madrid–Barajas Airport is the busiest airport in Spain, handling the greatest amount of air traffic in the country, and is one of the top 5 busiest airports in Europe.
In 2019, 61.8 million passengers travelled through Madrid–Barajas, making it the country's busiest airport and Europe's third or fifth-busiest. The airport has grown to be one of Europe's most important aviation centres, serving as a gateway to the Iberian peninsula from the rest of Europe and the world. It is also a key link between Europe and Latin America, with scheduled flights to the continent beginning in the 1940s.
Madrid–Barajas Airport is a large airport, covering an area of 3,050 ha (7,500 acres; 30.5 km2), making it the second-largest airport in Europe by physical size, behind Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It has five passenger terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T4S), four runways, and handles flights from all over the world. The airport is a hub for Iberia (and Iberia Express and Iberia Regional), Air Europa, and Air Nostrum, and is a focus city for Ryanair and Iberojet.
The airport offers a wide range of services, including children's areas, coffee shops and restaurants, pharmacies, a chapel, post offices, banks, car rentals, bookstores and kiosks, shops, car parking, emergency areas, medical services, a police station, and nearby hotels.
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The airport has five terminals and four runways
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, located just 12-13km from Madrid's city centre, is a bustling aviation hub with five terminals and four runways. The airport, with the IATA code 'MAD', serves as a gateway to the Iberian Peninsula and plays a pivotal role in connecting Europe with Latin America.
The five terminals, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T4S, are strategically designed to handle a multitude of flights and passengers. T1 primarily caters to international flights, while T2 serves Schengen destinations, along with a few domestic and intercontinental flights. T3 is dedicated to domestic flights, and T4 accommodates both domestic and international carriers, with T4S catering to non-Schengen destinations.
The four runways at the airport are meticulously laid out to enable smooth and efficient aircraft operations. Two runways are aligned on a north-south axis, running parallel to each other, while the other two are oriented on a northwest-southeast axis. This configuration facilitates simultaneous takeoffs and landings, allowing for an impressive 120 operations per hour.
The terminals are conveniently arranged, with T1, T2, and T3 located close to each other, allowing passengers to walk between them. T4 is situated at a further distance and is connected to the other three terminals via a shuttle bus service.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport boasts an extensive range of services and facilities to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. From children's areas, coffee shops, and restaurants to pharmacies, chapels, and post offices, the airport ensures that travellers have access to essential amenities during their journey.
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Iberia is responsible for more than 40% of Barajas's traffic
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is the main international airport serving Madrid, Spain's capital city. Located only 8-13km from Madrid's city centre, the airport is considered a hub for Iberia, Iberia Express, and Iberia Regional. Iberia is responsible for more than 40% of Barajas's traffic, making it the top airline at the airport. Iberia has 1,215 weekly flights, while its subsidiaries, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum, have carried 4.76 million and 3.83 million passengers, respectively.
Terminal 4 (T4) is home to Iberia, its franchise Air Nostrum, and all Oneworld partner airlines. Iberia also has exclusive use of the North Dock for its Schengen flights. Iberia's shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona is available without prior reservation and has multiple daily frequencies.
Madrid–Barajas Airport is one of the largest airports in Europe by physical size and is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2019, 50.6-61.8 million passengers travelled through Madrid–Barajas, making it the country's busiest airport and Europe's fifth busiest. The airport has five terminals and four runways, allowing for 120 operations an hour.
The airport is conveniently connected to the city centre by excellent transport links and offers a wide range of services, including restaurants, shops, car rentals, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
The airport is located in the northeast of Madrid, in the Barajas district. It is only 9-13km from the city centre.
The airport has four passenger terminals, an Executive terminal, and a satellite terminal (T4S).
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport has a wide range of services, including children's areas, coffee shops and restaurants, pharmacies, a chapel, post offices, banks, car rentals, bookstores, shops, car parking, emergency areas, medical services, a police station, and nearby hotels.




























