Catalonia secures €3.2 billion investment for Barcelona-El Prat Airport expansion
A landmark agreement with Aena aims to modernize the airport while addressing environmental concerns.
The Government of Catalonia announced a definitive agreement with Aena, the Spanish airports authority, regarding a €3.2 billion investment aimed at the comprehensive expansion of Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
The project includes extending the third runway by 600 meters, the construction of a new satellite terminal, and renovations of existing terminals T1 and T2, in addition to enhancements to parking facilities.
To mitigate environmental impacts, over 270 hectares of the Llobregat agricultural park will undergo renaturalization.
Catalan President Salvador Illa emphasized the commitment to modernizing the airport, framing it as a pressing necessity for Catalonia's economy.
The expansion is planned to be executed over eight years, with construction anticipated to begin in 2030, a design proposal targeted for 2028, and completion aimed for 2033. The new runway will reach a total length of 3,160 meters, affecting protected wetlands adjacent to the airport.
Modifications to the initial plan have reduced the impact on the La Ricarda wetlands, which are significant to local ecological advocacy.
Under the agreement, the new satellite terminal is expected to relieve congestion from T1 and T2, with proposals for an underground rail link to T1 also included.
The airport currently handles up to 80 take-offs and landings per hour, and the expansion aims to increase this capacity to 90, addressing peak demand and the interest of international airlines.
Vueling, a major airline operating at El Prat, currently operates over 40% of the flights, primarily focused on domestic and European routes.
The expansion’s goal includes attracting long-haul carriers and establishing direct flights to international destinations such as Tokyo and New Delhi, transitioning Barcelona from a national hub to an intercontinental gateway.
Controversy continues to surround the project due to its implications for the Llobregat delta, a designated area under the European Natura 2000 network.
Illa reiterated environmental sustainability as a priority, asserting that the proposed changes will not increase noise levels in surrounding communities like Gavà and Castelldefels.
Despite the support from the Socialist Party government, coalition partners Esquerra and the Comuns have expressed opposition, citing concerns regarding climate change and its compatibility with increased airport traffic.
Barcelona-El Prat airport recorded over 55 million passengers in the previous year, marking a record that approaches its operational capacity.
Sílvia Paneque, the Catalan Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, clarified that the current agreement does not involve changes to the airport's governance structure.
The leadership structure remains a topic for future negotiations, though the government maintains its dedication to an open dialogue around the project while prioritizing decisions grounded in public interest.
The project includes extending the third runway by 600 meters, the construction of a new satellite terminal, and renovations of existing terminals T1 and T2, in addition to enhancements to parking facilities.
To mitigate environmental impacts, over 270 hectares of the Llobregat agricultural park will undergo renaturalization.
Catalan President Salvador Illa emphasized the commitment to modernizing the airport, framing it as a pressing necessity for Catalonia's economy.
The expansion is planned to be executed over eight years, with construction anticipated to begin in 2030, a design proposal targeted for 2028, and completion aimed for 2033. The new runway will reach a total length of 3,160 meters, affecting protected wetlands adjacent to the airport.
Modifications to the initial plan have reduced the impact on the La Ricarda wetlands, which are significant to local ecological advocacy.
Under the agreement, the new satellite terminal is expected to relieve congestion from T1 and T2, with proposals for an underground rail link to T1 also included.
The airport currently handles up to 80 take-offs and landings per hour, and the expansion aims to increase this capacity to 90, addressing peak demand and the interest of international airlines.
Vueling, a major airline operating at El Prat, currently operates over 40% of the flights, primarily focused on domestic and European routes.
The expansion’s goal includes attracting long-haul carriers and establishing direct flights to international destinations such as Tokyo and New Delhi, transitioning Barcelona from a national hub to an intercontinental gateway.
Controversy continues to surround the project due to its implications for the Llobregat delta, a designated area under the European Natura 2000 network.
Illa reiterated environmental sustainability as a priority, asserting that the proposed changes will not increase noise levels in surrounding communities like Gavà and Castelldefels.
Despite the support from the Socialist Party government, coalition partners Esquerra and the Comuns have expressed opposition, citing concerns regarding climate change and its compatibility with increased airport traffic.
Barcelona-El Prat airport recorded over 55 million passengers in the previous year, marking a record that approaches its operational capacity.
Sílvia Paneque, the Catalan Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, clarified that the current agreement does not involve changes to the airport's governance structure.
The leadership structure remains a topic for future negotiations, though the government maintains its dedication to an open dialogue around the project while prioritizing decisions grounded in public interest.
Translation:
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