The contentious plan to expand Barcelona-El Prat airport has entered a new phase. Airport operator Aena is beginning environmental restoration work aimed at satisfying European regulators, while staunch opposition from local political leaders intensifies.

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In a significant move, Aena is in the final stages of renaturalising a 7.5-hectare area of former car parks in Viladecans, adjacent to the airport. According to a report by El Periódico, this work at Can Sabadell involves removing concrete and urban elements to restore the natural habitat. This action directly responds to infringement proceedings from the European Commission, which urged Spain to address the environmental degradation of the protected Llobregat Delta wetlands after a previous expansion. By demonstrating its environmental commitment, Aena hopes to clear a path for its ambitious €3.2 billion airport expansion plan.

The proposed project is designed to boost Barcelona’s capacity for long-haul flights, featuring a 500-metre extension of the sea-facing runway and a new satellite terminal. However, the plan has become a flashpoint for debate, pitting economic ambitions against environmental and quality-of-life concerns.

Local Mayor Breaks Ranks to Oppose Expansion

Manuel Reyes, the mayor of Castelldefels, voices strong local opposition. In a notable break from his own party’s position, the People’s Party (PP) mayor has become a leading critic of the expansion. Speaking on Tuesday to business leaders at the Fórum Empresarial del Llobregat, Reyes argued against the project, citing the impact of increased air traffic on his constituents.

“We must promote the airports of Reus and Girona to prevent the disturbances from overflights for the citizens of Castelldefels from increasing,” he stated, as reported by ABC Cataluña. His proposal suggests a regional approach to managing Catalonia’s air capacity, thereby diverting traffic away from the densely populated Baix Llobregat area.

The mayor’s concerns are not limited to the airport. He also voiced opposition to the neighbouring municipality of Gavà’s ‘Plan Ponent,’ a project to build 5,000 new homes near the Castelldefels border. Reyes warned of “the risk of flooding” and the potential strain on his town’s public services and infrastructure.

Castelldefels Forges an Alternative Vision

Instead of large-scale infrastructure projects, Mayor Reyes champions a different development path for Castelldefels, focusing on technology, gastronomy, and sustainable tourism. A cornerstone of this vision is the reclamation of the Canal Olímpico, a venue built for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

“It is the only sports facility from the ’92 Games that has not been transferred to be managed by its city,” Reyes noted, contrasting its status with venues like Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi and the Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona.

Reyes has proposed a land swap with the Generalitat de Catalunya to integrate the canal with the local campus of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). This plan aims to create a new hub for research, services, and public amenities, including a new auditorium and hotel.

Furthermore, the city is positioning itself as a culinary destination. From 18-21 May 2026, Castelldefels will host the first-ever Food Capitals Summit, and it is actively seeking designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. With over 500 restaurants, the town is already a key player in the metropolitan area’s food scene.

Business Community Calls for Collaboration

While local political figures express caution, the regional business community sees potential, albeit with its own set of demands. Santiago Ballesté, president of the business association AEBALL, stressed the importance of public-private collaboration and streamlined bureaucracy to attract investment.

“The future of business competitiveness depends on this real connection between companies and knowledge,” Ballesté said, highlighting the strategic value of the UPC campus. He added that for economic development to succeed, “it is essential that the administration and business advance in alignment.”

As Aena pushes forward with environmental measures to unlock its expansion plans, the debate highlights a fundamental tension in the region’s future. The outcome will depend on whether a balance can be struck between the national drive for a global transport hub and the determined efforts of local communities to protect their environment and forge a distinct, sustainable identity.