Lorraine Williamson
Plans to transform Barcelona’s El Prat Airport into a global aviation hub have reignited a fierce public debate, as Spanish authorities push ahead with a €3 billion expansion plan that environmentalists and local campaigners warn could irreversibly damage fragile ecosystems and deepen Barcelona’s chronic tourism woes.
The project, backed by Spain’s government, the Catalan regional administration, and airport operator Aena, aims to expand El Prat’s capacity to rival Europe’s busiest airports. Central to the plan is a runway extension and the construction of a new satellite terminal to accommodate larger aircraft and increase long-haul connections, particularly to Asia.
Aena insists the investment is essential to ensure Barcelona’s competitiveness against rivals like London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Direct routes to Asia, including India and Japan, are seen as key to future growth. At the same time, supporters argue the development will create thousands of jobs and solidify Catalonia’s role in global commerce.
Fragile wetlands in the crosshairs
But the expansion comes at a cost. The extension would encroach on La Ricarda, a protected wetland in the Llobregat Delta, home to rare plant life and migratory birds. The site forms part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network, placing the project under Brussels’ environmental oversight.
Conservationists argue the expansion threatens to fragment the delicate wetland ecosystem, violating both Spanish law and EU biodiversity protections. For Brussels, El Prat’s development risks becoming a litmus test for the EU’s commitment to balancing economic growth with its ambitious climate and environmental goals.
Growing grassroots opposition
The plans have triggered widespread protests. Earlier this month, over a thousand demonstrators gathered in El Prat de Llobregat, voicing opposition to the expansion. Environmental groups, local residents, and community leaders cite rising noise pollution, overcrowding from tourism, and irreversible ecological damage among their chief concerns.
Alba Bou, the local mayor, has urged authorities to divert funds towards strengthening Catalonia’s under-resourced rail network rather than expanding air traffic.
Political friction widens
Politically, the expansion is exposing rifts. While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Catalonia’s president, Salvador Illa, have called the deal historic, left-wing groups such as ERC, Sumar, and Comuns have fiercely criticised the move, warning of its impact on Barcelona’s already strained urban fabric.
Opponents argue that mass tourism — one of Barcelona’s most pressing challenges — will worsen, while environmental and climate commitments are sidelined in favour of economic short-termism.
Race against the clock
The Spanish government has given Aena until the end of 2025 to submit detailed environmental and construction plans. Final approval rests with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, and any green light would still need to satisfy stringent EU regulations. If approved, the revamped airport could be fully operational by 2033 — though many hurdles remain.