Spain’s airport operator AENA has unveiled a €4,000 million investment plan to expand Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airports between 2027 and 2031. The largest share, more than €3,000 million, will be allocated to Barcelona, with the rest directed towards Alicante.
At El Prat, the ambitious project includes extending the third runway, building a new satellite terminal, and overhauling terminals T1 and T2 to increase capacity to 90 operations per hour. In Alicante, the airport will see a 30% expansion of its terminal, new security systems with advanced scanning technology, and demolition of outdated facilities. Parking areas, access routes and urban spaces will also be redeveloped.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented the investment plan as part of the next regulatory framework known as DORA III, which requires approval by the European Commission and Spain’s Council of Ministers. The government stressed that the process will be lengthy, with major works in Catalonia expected to begin only after 2031.
Additional funding will go towards airports in Valencia, Girona-Costa Brava, Reus and Sabadell. In Girona, a new walkway will link the terminal to the future high-speed rail station, while Reus will receive a modernised passport control area and redesigned access roads.
AENA’s total investment across Spain for the 2027–2031 period is expected to reach €12,888 million.
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