Barcelona Global proposes extending Barcelona Airport's shortest runway by 350 meters

Barcelona Global is proposing that authorities lengthen Barcelona Airport's shortest runway by 350 meters because the need to expand the airport is "urgent."

The group representing businesses in the city has already met with the new Barcelona mayor, Jaume Collboni. Their plan envisages a 3,310-meter runway, thus allowing larger aircraft and more international flights to operate from the Catalan capital.

The short runway runs parallel to the sea, and if the proposal were to be considered, it would also improve the environmental impact, especially in the nearby seaside town of Gavà, the organization claims.

"The current situation is not the solution," Barcelona Global said, as "the problems are visible." This is the outcome of the working group after seven months studying a potential solution.

Maite Barrera, the president of Barcelona Global, said the proposed solution was "balanced."

Currently, the airport "is very well connected" with Europe, Barrera said, but the problem is that Barcelona's airport is "lacking" intercontinental flights.

Barcelona Global's proposed runway extension is shorter than that of airport management company AENA, who proposed extending the same runway by 500 meters. Barcelona Global also proposes adding 300 meters of unpaved area beyond the runway, called a clearway, to make it possible to have 3,310 meters for take-offs.

The business association would also focus on regenerating the Ricarda natural park and improving the natural areas surrounding the airport, they said.

AENA's proposal was not accepted after pushback from the Catalan government after many environmental activists raised concerns.

Filling the Sink podcast

Press play below to listen to Filling the Sink, the Catalan News podcast, on the debate surrounding the expansion of the El Prat airport published in July 2021.