Barcelona Airport’s expansion is still happening, according to the Generalitat. Councillor Albert Dalmau made that clear on Wednesday. His comments follow Parliament’s approval of the Sustainable Mobility Law.
The law passed thanks to Podemos abstaining. They struck a last-minute deal with the government over the airport project. However, interpretations of that deal differ wildly.
‘Unblocking its expansion has been a priority for the Govern to get the country moving,’ Dalmau explained on X. He stressed the expansion commitment, investment, and timeline all remain unchanged. Environmental standards will be upheld throughout.
The Transport Ministry issued a statement later that afternoon. They’ve committed to an especially intensive public information process. Moreover, consultations with different bodies and territorial administrations will favour participation and transparency.
But here’s where it gets messy. Podemos sources claim the deal effectively freezes works until at least 2031. They say the expansion won’t feature in DORA III (the airport infrastructure planning document for 2026-2031).
Additionally, Podemos highlighted another requirement. The ministry must produce a binding report. Any Barcelona Airport project will need to meet EU Fit for 55 emissions targets. That means a 55% emissions reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
So who’s right? The Generalitat says everything’s proceeding as planned. Meanwhile, Podemos claims they’ve secured a practical freeze on works for years.
The expansion has been controversial for months. Environmental groups oppose it, whilst business leaders support it. Now there’s confusion about what’s actually been agreed.
What’s certain is the project remains politically sensitive. The coming months will clarify whether construction proceeds or stalls.
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