Aena, the Spanish airport operator, has given the green light to the expansion of the airports in Valencia and Alicante. Meanwhile plans for the expansion of El Prat in Barcelona are stalling.
According to a report by La Vanguardia, Maurici Lucena, chairman of Aena, announced during the last shareholders’ meeting that the increase in air traffic in Valencia and Alicante will be responded “seriously” with a “significant increase” in investments. These expansions are necessary to accommodate the expected crowds during summer months and prevent a possible collapse of Valencia Airport.
Stop at El Prat – Barcelona
In contrast to the positive developments in Valencia and Alicante, the situation around El Prat airport remains unchanged. Previous proposals for the expansion of this airport did not get off the ground. Lucena criticised recent proposals from the Generalitat. This includes the idea of building a satellite terminal and increasing the number of flights over the nearby towns of Gavà and Castelldefels. However, these proposals have proven to be unfeasible due to the expected noise pollution.
Future plans
Lucena emphasised that Aena continues to pursue an expansion plan for El Prat similar to that of Barajas in Madrid. That airport has been expanded to handle up to 90 million passengers. He indicated that the stagnation of expansion plans for El Prat, in contrast to the successful expansion of Madrid, is a personal disappointment and a loss for both Barcelona and Spain. Aena will further develop and announce the details of the expansion plans for Alicante and Valencia in the coming weeks and months, pending the next DORA III regulations for the period 2027-2031.
