Passenger Numbers Hit Record High

Barcelona-El Prat Airport handled 5.4 million passengers in September 2026, a 2.6% increase from the same month last year and the highest September volume on record, according to Aena. The airport has served 45.5 million passengers so far in 2026, and Aena President Maurici Lucena predicts the total could exceed 60 million by the end of December, despite the facility’s official operational capacity being capped at 55 million. Lucena stated on Friday 16 October that exceeding this technical limit does not pose safety risks but underscores the need for expansion.

Expansion Timeline and Investment Confirmed

The expansion of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is progressing as planned and is expected to be fully operational by 2036, Lucena confirmed. The project is being advanced under the Airport Regulation Document (DORA III), approved by the Council of Ministers on 15 September 2026, which allocates €1.765 billion for the airport between 2027 and 2031.

  • €191.9 million of this will fund preparatory actions, including project drafting and environmental compensation measures
  • Investment will support reconfiguration of terminals T1 and T2 and improvements to T2 and its parking
  • The full expansion, including a new sea runway and satellite terminal, is expected to conclude before 2036

Lucena noted that while the official timeline remains intact, certain investments could be accelerated if authorisations are secured early.

Yes, on paper, this can be done,

, Maurici Lucena, Aena President, responding to a question about advancing works

Environmental Concerns and Political Consensus

The expansion has faced opposition due to its potential impact on the Llobregat Delta’s natural environment, particularly the Ricarda lagoon and surrounding wetlands. Environmental groups and political parties such as ERC have raised concerns about emissions and ecological disruption. However, Lucena highlighted that both the Ministry of Transport and the Generalitat de Catalunya now support the project, marking a shift from the previous government’s hesitation. He attributed past delays to political decisions, including the withdrawal of the former ERC-led government from the expansion agreement. A demonstration of approximately 5,000 people took place in Barcelona a month ago to protest the expansion plans. Aena maintains that the project is essential to reposition the airport as a hub for intercontinental flights to America, Asia, and Africa. The full development plan, including environmental sustainability assessments and technical studies, is publicly available on Aena’s official website.

Primary sources: aena.es. Reported by elpais.com, en.ara.cat, catalonia.com, Catalan News, merca2.es, laciutat.cat, lavanguardia.com, expansion.com, El País Barcelona.