AENA, the airport manager, plans a substantial sustainability investment of around €750 million through 2030. Of this, 550 million is earmarked for the Climate Action plan. The aim is carbon neutrality at all airports by 2026 and zero carbon by 2040, with earlier milestones in sight.
According to Amparo Brea, AENA’s Director of Sustainability, the industry is moving toward zero carbon by 2050 and will push beyond that target. She notes a serious commitment to accelerating progress, with a clear pledge to extend the effort further across the sector.
The strategy centers on diversified energy solutions including photovoltaic systems, geothermal projects, biogas, and intensified energy efficiency. These measures accompany ongoing reductions in emissions across all airport operations.
AENA operates 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain. About 80% of its emissions originate from Barajas in Madrid and El Prat in Barcelona. Through its subsidiary AENA Internacional, the group also manages 15 airports across Europe and the Americas.
To generate green energy equivalent to its 2026 consumption target, AENA will deploy photovoltaic power plants across 14 airports on 740 hectares with an investment of 350 million euros. The plan includes the construction of a solar park in Madrid, projected to power 65,000 homes in Lanzarote through the star power plant.
Madrid will also receive geothermal installations, with a 50 million euro budget, at Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca airports, along with a Madrid biogas plant using waste from Barajas at 15 million. In energy efficiency, the company targets a 9% reduction in consumption per passenger by 2030, achieved through upgrading air conditioning to high efficiency units and installing LED lighting at terminals and runways.
The entire fleet to be sustainable by 2026
A key objective is to render the entire AENA fleet sustainable by 2026, including emergency equipment such as fire vehicles. The organization backs the use and development of customers in the airline sector toward sustainability, supporting electrification, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and green hydrogen as foundational elements.
SAF use is already available at Madrid and Barcelona airports. Travelers can opt to use biokerosene through the Avikor app, which carries an estimated additional cost of around 45 euros for a journey between the two cities. AENA is preparing its infrastructure to accommodate electric and hydrogen aircraft by 2035. Major carriers like IAG and Ryanair have set SAF usage targets of 10% and 12% respectively by 2030 according to the directive.
Collaboration with Enaire and airlines aims to improve coordination among agencies, reducing delays and further cutting consumption and emissions. In sustainable mobility, both private and public sectors will see the installation of 3,000 charging points for electric vehicles on and off the taxiways, alongside promotion of sustainable services.
Water use is another focus, with goals to cut water consumption per passenger by 10% by 2030 and to explore alternatives such as rainwater harvesting and desalination where feasible. In the circular economy, the objective is to recover or recycle all waste by 2040, reduce noise impact, and protect biodiversity as a core element of the sustainability strategy.
Penalties
Within the framework of supplier and tenant contracts, penalties are possible if targets are not met. This structured approach reinforces accountability and underscores the seriousness of the sustainability commitments, according to Brea, and such measures have not previously been necessary.
Terminal 3 at Malaga airport is highlighted as a symbol of progress in the movement toward sustainable operations. The leadership stresses that the plan is a bold commitment not only to direct actions at the airports but to the decarbonization of the entire industry. The commitment is clear: progress comes through sustained, practical efforts toward environmental responsibility.
Established in 2010, AENA operates as a public airport company with management responsibilities for airports of general interest in Spain. AENA is majority owned by ENAIRE, a public entity that manages air navigation and air traffic control. This governance framework supports a coherent national strategy for sustainable aviation and airport operations.
Notes taken from the sustainability roadmap emphasize measurable outcomes across energy, mobility, water, and waste. The overall message is a resolute push toward cleaner energy use, reduced emissions, and a smaller environmental footprint for Spain’s airport network. The plan also considers broader industry impacts, recognizing that sustainable aviation depends on coordinated action between airports, airlines, and air navigation authorities in North America and Europe, sharing a common objective for a cleaner skies future.