The Catalan government has given approval for Spain’s airport operator Aena to carry out a 3.2 billion euro expansion of Barcelona airport – officially the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport – the region’s socialist president, Salvador Illa, announced on Tuesday.
The deal, between Spain’s Transport Ministry, the Catalan government and Aena, includes the extension of a runway and the construction of a satellite terminal, as well as a remodelling of Terminals 1 and 2 and the parking area, he said.
The plan aims to reconcile the airport’s development as an intercontinental hub with the preservation of the natural environment.
Among the key works is the extension of the sea-facing runway, which will enable the infrastructure to accommodate intercontinental aircraft without restrictions. The extension will be 500 metres, bringing the total runway length to 3,160 metres. According to Aena, this will also help reduce noise impact on nearby residential areas.
The project includes complementary environmental measures, such as the restoration of more than 270 hectares of natural spaces in the Llobregat Delta — ten times the area affected — the creation of a green belt to balance agricultural and environmental uses, and a specific environmental fund to strengthen the protection of this ecosystem.
Aena and airlines have said that the expansion will allow more direct flights from the United States and Asia – coveted markets for the local tourism industry.
The planned expansion, however, which has been discussed for years, is criticised by environmentalists, activist groups opposing overtourism and left-wing parties. ALSO READ: Barcelona airport expansion plans: environmentalists at odds with business groups.
Aina Vidal, a member of parliament who belongs to the government’s junior coalition partner Sumar, said on Tuesday that Barcelona was already overflowing with tourists and lacked the capacity to welcome more.
‘More airplanes mean more pollution for a city that is already at its limit,’ Vidal told a news conference.
The new satellite terminal is set to increase the airport’s capacity to 70 million passengers a year.
In 2024, Barcelona-El Prat Airport handled 55 million passengers, marking the end of the post-pandemic recovery with a 4.5% increase over 2019. This figure brings the airport’s capacity to its limit, making the expansion crucial if it wants to fulfil its ambitions of becoming a long-haul alternative hub for Spain.
By the summer of 2025, Barcelona’s network of destinations outside Europe already reaches 55 cities.
Spain last year received a record 94 million tourists, making it the world’s second-most popular destination after France.
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