Spain suspends Barcelona airport expansion plans over lack of support from Catalan government

The Spanish government has suspended a 1.7 billion euro investment plan aimed at expanding the Barcelona airport after the Catalan government put the project into question over environmental concerns.

The planned expansion, which was expected to boost the local economy and increase the number of passengers from 53 to 70 million a year, was seen as a potential threat to La Ricarda lagoon, a natural reserve located south of Barcelona.

Spain's Transport minister, Raquel Sánchez, held a press conference on Wednesday to explain that the expansion plan was being withdrawn due to a lack of support from Catalan authorities.