Local Council Stands Against National Airport Plan
The Plenary Session of El Prat de Llobregat City Council approved an institutional declaration this week reaffirming its rejection of any expansion of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The vote comes in response to the Spanish government's approval of the Third Airport Regulation Document (DORA III) on 15 September 2026, which allocates funding for preliminary work on the airport’s potential expansion. Support for the declaration came from El Prat en Comú, ERC, the PP, and Junts. The PSC, part of the local governing coalition with Comuns, voted against, aligning with the position of the socialist-led Generalitat and PSOE. Vox also opposed the motion, while Jóvenes y Pensionistas abstained.
DORA III Funds Preliminary Work Only
DORA III, approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers, sets out nearly €13 billion in planned investments for Aena-managed airports between 2027 and 2031. Of this, €1.7 billion is allocated to El Prat, primarily for terminal upgrades and parking improvements. A separate allocation of €191.9 million is designated for initial procedures related to a potential third runway, though no construction is planned before 2032. The declaration calls for investment to be redirected towards the Rodalies commuter rail network and other public services, advocating for a more sustainable mobility model. It follows a large-scale demonstration in Barcelona on 20 September 2026, where thousands protested against the airport expansion.
We cannot sacrifice our health, environment and quality of life for airport growth that benefits airlines more than residents.
, Spokesperson for Zeroport, coalition behind the 20 September protest
Local vs. National Stances Diverge
While national parties PP and Junts support airport expansion in principle, their local councillors sided with the majority in El Prat. The local PSC, however, chose to follow the Generalitat’s pro-expansion stance, creating a rare split within the governing coalition. Aena, Spain’s state-owned airport operator, confirms that DORA III includes provisions for project drafting and environmental assessments, but no construction authorisation. The company states that traffic forecasts for 2031 anticipate 347 million passengers across its network, with infrastructure upgrades intended to meet growing demand.
Primary sources: aena.es, lamoncloa.gob.es, govern.cat. Reported by elbaix.cat, ARA, en.ara.cat, elpais.com, elmundo.es, La Vanguardia, Públic, eldiario.es.
