Barcelona airport expansion project to be complete by 2033

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, has said that Barcelona could have a bigger airport by 2033 if all expansion plans remain on schedule. The project would be fully completed in eight years, and the directorate plan would be approved in 2028. Works are planned to start in 2030.

The airport expansion would see a 500-meter sea runway 24L/06R extension, and to offset the impacts on the protected natural area of La Ricarda, there are plans to rewild more than 250 hectares.

The announcement marks a key milestone for the long-debated infrastructure project, which has remained unresolved for years.

"Catalonia will continue working on projects that have been delayed due to a lack of decision-making in the territory," Illa said during a televised statement from the Catalan government's headquarters on Tuesday at midday.

The head of the Catalan government outlined the cabinet's position after reviewing the technical commission's report, which took months to prepare.

"We have the strongest proposal, concord, and backed by experts to see the improvement and modernization of the airport a reality, so it can become an international hub," Illa said.

Illa has long supported expanding the airport. However, the project faces serious challenges, especially the difficulty of extending the runway without affecting protected natural areas or disturbing nearby residents. 

Barcelona Airport currently operates with two main runways: one to the north, closer to the mountains, and another to the south, near the sea.

The proposed plan "is an improvement well aligned with European standards, which scrupulously complies, even more, with the environmental regulations," Illa said, about the La Ricarda Natural Park. The natural area was the cause of the expansion debate back in 2021, when the project was already on the table.

However, back then, the Catalan pro-independence government led by Esquerra Republicana shelved the project, despite Spain's airport manager, AENA, planning to invest €1.7 billion.

The agreed project on Tuesday sets an investment of €3.2 billion that will see the T1 and T2 terminals refurbished, improving the sea runway, and building a satellite terminal, the T1S, and a subway shuttle train connecting the T1 with the new T1S terminal.

"The new airport is also a strategic bet for Europe," Illa said during his statement, and he said that the European Union cannot continue to "only base its future on the current international hubs," such as Frankfurt, Paris, or Madrid. "If not, the Middle Eastern countries will take on the lead and connect the world with their hubs from the south of Europe."

"I want for Catalans to travel the world without having to fly to Madrid, London, or Frankfurt," Illa said, as he mentioned, several times, that Barcelona El Prat airport has to be an "international hub."

La Ricarda natural park

However, lengthening the runway to a total of 3 kilometers requires encroaching on the La Ricarda lagoon and adjacent wetlands. 

This area is under special protection by the European Union due to its ecological importance as a biodiversity habitat. Any construction plans would therefore require approval at the European level. 

To offset the environmental impact, Spain’s airport authority, Aena, has proposed rewilding around 250 hectares of land on the opposite side of the airport from La Ricarda. This would multiply by 10 the affected area.

The plan is poised to extend the southern runway near the sea and offset the ecological impact on the lagoon.

"The project is the best, in terms of technical aspects and the most balanced to transform the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat airport into an international hub," Illa said.

What happens next?

Illa's proposal is far from final, although the government has said it hopes to implement the plan without first seeking parliamentary approval.

The ruling Socialists came to power with the backing of the left-wing Comuns and the pro-independence Esquerra Republicana, parties that could pose a significant obstacle. 

While all major political groups agree on the strategic importance of turning Barcelona Airport into an intercontinental hub, both Esquerra and Comuns favor upgrading the airport without constructing further. 

The potential impact of extending the runway on the La Ricarda lagoon, despite proposed offset measures, is unlikely to be well received by Esquerra and Comuns, who have already prepared a "confrontation strategy" to oppose the plan.

Airport at its maximum capacity

The airport’s current estimated maximum capacity is 55 million passengers. That threshold was surpassed last year for the first time, marking an all-time record for the facility. 

In 2024, a total of 55,034,955 passengers used the airport, an increase of 10% compared to 2023. 

Of those, over 40 million traveled on international flights, representing a 12% increase from the previous year. 

There were 347,977 flights in total, up 9% from 2023. 

Opposition urges president to speak

The Catalan pro-independence and far-left CUP party registered a request in Parliament to urge Illa to speak and explain his cabinet's position on the airport expansion.

CUP MP Dani Cornellà accused Illa of being a "climate denier" and said the project is a policy "closer to the far right." Cornellà also urged Esquerra and Comuns to oppose the project.

The next plenary session is scheduled between June 17 and 19.