Castelldefels and El Prat voice opposition to airport expansion project

Local councils near Barcelona Airport are divided on the proposed expansion plans announced by the Catalan government this week.

Castelldefels and El Prat expressed their strong opposition to the proposals during a meeting with the government held on Wednesday evening.

The Mayor of Castelldefels, Manuel Reyes of the conservative People's Party (PP), criticized the plan for lacking "any real measures" to offset the impact of increased aircraft traffic on residents' health.

The Mayor of El Prat, Alba Bou of left-wing Prat En Comú, condemned the project as flawed and environmentally harmful, citing the planned destruction of two natural areas and raising concerns about access to the beach at El Prat.

The rest of the affected towns and cities – Gavà, Sant Boi, Viladecans and Barcelona – endorsed the proposal, highlighting environmental compensation measures and expected reductions in noise thanks to a new operating model set to be implemented by 2033.

All four municipalites are led by mayors from the Socialist party, who are also in power in Catalonia and Spain.

Representatives from the six local councils primarily affected by the expansion plans met with Catalonia's territory minister, Sílvia Paneque, one day after the announcement of the €3.2 billion expansion plan – agreed by the Catalan government, Spain's Ministry of Transport, and airport operator Aena.

The plan includes extending the airport's third runway, building a satellite terminal, refurbishing terminals T1 and T2, and introducing environmental compensation measures.