New public positioning supports expanding El Prat airport
In recent months, leading business groups in Catalonia have pushed for a broader expansion of El Prat airport. Foment del Treball and Pimec have called for extended capacity, and this Friday the Col·legi d’Economistes de Catalunya joined the chorus. A public statement from the group urged widening the airport’s capacity while acknowledging environmental challenges that could arise. The aim is to route more air traffic through El Prat, linking distant markets with Catalonia and Spain as a strategic move for the country’s and the city’s positioning in the global network.
At present, the sea route capability allows routes within a radius of about 4,500 miles, enabling connections to distant destinations such as the U.S. West Coast, parts of South America, and regions in the Far East. Economists argue that expanding infrastructure to capture a larger share of intercontinental flights is a necessary step, but not sufficient on its own. They contend that AENA, the airport operator, must define a concrete plan to seize new long-haul traffic opportunities.
Greater emphasis on freight transport
In the same note, MSK proposes prioritizing air transport to strengthen export activity and logistics across Catalonia. The idea includes incorporating the development of an airport city into this broader logistics strategy.
Right now, El Prat’s expansion is part of ongoing negotiations between the central government and regional authorities to approve the budgeting framework. AENA president Maurici Lucena and the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez, have pressed the regional administration to commit to a plan. Yet when regional advisors respond, the focus remains on ensuring any proposal respects climate commitments, with a consensus in mind that does not clash with environmental goals.
Addressing persistent disagreements
Economists suggest that the airport debate should center not only on the physical expansion but also on how operations are managed. They call for a constructive transition away from entrenched, adversarial arguments toward a process guided by technical expertise. They emphasize the need for a timely approach, noting that past decisions and public messaging did not contribute to a shared solution. The recommendation is to establish a trust-based framework for dialogue among all stakeholders, drawing lessons from how other airports have built cooperative channels with institutions and regional authorities. The perception that there has been insufficient attention to this collaborative dimension has hindered progress toward a climate-friendly, broadly supported plan.