Catalonia's Airport Expansion Plan Advances Amid Business Support and Environmental Concerns
The Generalitat's proposal to extend Barcelona's El Prat Airport garners backing from business leaders, despite ongoing environmental assessments.
Foment del Treball has expressed support for the decision by Catalonia's President, Salvador Illa, to advance plans for the expansion of Barcelona's El Prat Airport.
After several months of delays, the Generalitat is set to unveil a proposed plan for extending the airport, a matter that has drawn significant attention from both the business community and airline companies.
The delay in presenting the proposal had caused frustration among business and airline executives, who have publicly urged President Illa to make the project known.
Business leader Josep Sánchez Llibre emphasized the significance of the expansion for Catalonia's economy, deeming it the most important project for the next decade and advocating for swift action.
On a municipal level, the Barcelona City Council has mandated that any proposal to enhance the airport’s capacity undergo a thorough assessment of its environmental impact, particularly concerning the biodiversity of the Llobregat delta.
The council's requirement for a positive report from the European Union is crucial, given that the area surrounding La Ricarda is included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites under EU regulations.
Concurrently, the city’s technical services will review the benefits and drawbacks of various options for positioning Barcelona as a hub for long-haul flights.
Business circles indicate urgency in finalizing the project, asserting that the necessary investments for the expansion must be incorporated into the upcoming airport regulation document (DORA III), slated for approval next September.
Preparatory consultations for this document are anticipated to commence as early as this summer.
Foment del Treball has been an assertive advocate for airport expansion.
Following the collapse of a prior agreement between central and Catalonian governments in 2021, the organization formed a commission to pursue solutions for enabling the project.
This commission engaged with experts from numerous sectors, including aviation, environmental sustainability, representatives from affected municipalities, and major international airlines operating in Barcelona.
The commission, chaired by Lluís Moreno, has compiled an analysis of more than ten proposed expansion options.
Among the alternatives discussed is a proposal focusing on extending the third runway through the construction of a raised platform above the lagoon at La Ricarda.
This proposal is viewed as addressing vital operational, technical, and environmental needs, while also aiming to mitigate the impact on La Ricarda, a site that has become a focal point for those opposing the expansion.
Although extending the third runway east and west would enhance its length, it raises potential concerns regarding increased noise pollution affecting nearby communities.
The proposed expansion aims to extend the runway by approximately 500 meters in both directions, a plan which aligns closely with earlier projections by Aena, the airport management company.
Any finalized extension will require approval from the European Union and must also include substantial environmental compensation due to its impact on protected areas.
The European Commission's decision on the proposal may take up to two years, after which, should approval be granted, construction could begin.
The planned investment for the expansion is projected to exceed €2 billion, which includes the development of satellite terminals and renovations of existing terminals T1 and T2.
This funding will be sourced through fees collected by Aena from airlines, thereby not impacting public budgets directly.
Completion of the expansion is estimated to take around ten years.
The overarching goal of the expansion, as stated by the Catalonian business federation, is not merely to increase tourist volume, but to enhance capacity for long-haul flights and thus attract further investments and foster economic ties.
Currently, El Prat Airport operates approximately 50 intercontinental routes, predominantly to North America.
Efforts are underway through the Route Development Committee, which includes participation from the Generalitat, the Barcelona city council, Aena, and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, to bolster connections with Asia, specifically targeting China.
Last year, El Prat surpassed its technical passenger limit of 55 million.
After several months of delays, the Generalitat is set to unveil a proposed plan for extending the airport, a matter that has drawn significant attention from both the business community and airline companies.
The delay in presenting the proposal had caused frustration among business and airline executives, who have publicly urged President Illa to make the project known.
Business leader Josep Sánchez Llibre emphasized the significance of the expansion for Catalonia's economy, deeming it the most important project for the next decade and advocating for swift action.
On a municipal level, the Barcelona City Council has mandated that any proposal to enhance the airport’s capacity undergo a thorough assessment of its environmental impact, particularly concerning the biodiversity of the Llobregat delta.
The council's requirement for a positive report from the European Union is crucial, given that the area surrounding La Ricarda is included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites under EU regulations.
Concurrently, the city’s technical services will review the benefits and drawbacks of various options for positioning Barcelona as a hub for long-haul flights.
Business circles indicate urgency in finalizing the project, asserting that the necessary investments for the expansion must be incorporated into the upcoming airport regulation document (DORA III), slated for approval next September.
Preparatory consultations for this document are anticipated to commence as early as this summer.
Foment del Treball has been an assertive advocate for airport expansion.
Following the collapse of a prior agreement between central and Catalonian governments in 2021, the organization formed a commission to pursue solutions for enabling the project.
This commission engaged with experts from numerous sectors, including aviation, environmental sustainability, representatives from affected municipalities, and major international airlines operating in Barcelona.
The commission, chaired by Lluís Moreno, has compiled an analysis of more than ten proposed expansion options.
Among the alternatives discussed is a proposal focusing on extending the third runway through the construction of a raised platform above the lagoon at La Ricarda.
This proposal is viewed as addressing vital operational, technical, and environmental needs, while also aiming to mitigate the impact on La Ricarda, a site that has become a focal point for those opposing the expansion.
Although extending the third runway east and west would enhance its length, it raises potential concerns regarding increased noise pollution affecting nearby communities.
The proposed expansion aims to extend the runway by approximately 500 meters in both directions, a plan which aligns closely with earlier projections by Aena, the airport management company.
Any finalized extension will require approval from the European Union and must also include substantial environmental compensation due to its impact on protected areas.
The European Commission's decision on the proposal may take up to two years, after which, should approval be granted, construction could begin.
The planned investment for the expansion is projected to exceed €2 billion, which includes the development of satellite terminals and renovations of existing terminals T1 and T2.
This funding will be sourced through fees collected by Aena from airlines, thereby not impacting public budgets directly.
Completion of the expansion is estimated to take around ten years.
The overarching goal of the expansion, as stated by the Catalonian business federation, is not merely to increase tourist volume, but to enhance capacity for long-haul flights and thus attract further investments and foster economic ties.
Currently, El Prat Airport operates approximately 50 intercontinental routes, predominantly to North America.
Efforts are underway through the Route Development Committee, which includes participation from the Generalitat, the Barcelona city council, Aena, and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, to bolster connections with Asia, specifically targeting China.
Last year, El Prat surpassed its technical passenger limit of 55 million.
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