Spanish airports president believes Barcelona expansion could be completed by 2034 

The president of Spain's airport manager Aena, Maurici Lucena, believes the expansion of Barcelona airport could be a reality in less than a decade. He is "optimistic" that the infrastructure will become a hub, although he refrained from discussing any "modifications" the project could face. 

Lucena spoke on Monday at an event organized by Spanish newspaper Expansión in Barcelona, where he stated that the technical committee's work between the Catalan and the Spanish government is "almost completed." 

The expansion of the Barcelona airport has been a year-long debate and heavily returned after the infrastructure surpassed its estimated maximum capacity of 55 million passengers per year.  

"Barcelona could become a hub within a few years if we do not get lost in a never-ending debate like the one that has taken place in Catalonia, which has delayed an expansion that ideally should already be underway," he stated.   

During his speech, however, the head of the airport's management, refrained from commenting on whether the project will have the planned extension of the third runway by 500 meters, impacting the protected natural area of La Ricarda.  

He added that if the outcome is positive, the construction could be completed by 2034. "I am very optimistic; my confidence in the government, Catalan institutions, and Catalan president Salvador Illa is absolute," he said. 

Aena's president did not disclose details about the discussions between the two governments but confirmed that "the work is being carried out with the utmost strictness."  

When asked if the original project would include any changes, he explained that any modifications would introduce "some degree of flexibility in the concept, but without altering its essence or substance." 

He pointed out that Barcelona's airport has one of the busiest networks of pan-European connections and therefore could have two airport hubs.  

Looking into the future, Lucena also mentioned their plans to open hotels near Barcelona and Madrid airports as something that will "correct a historical anomaly." Hotels are expected to open in 2025, at the moment, both are the only major European airports without large hotels in their surrounding areas. 

Year-long construction project 

Regarding the timeline for the construction, Lucena warned that the project would impact an environmentally protected area under both Spanish and European regulations, which would extend the initial bureaucratic processes by two or three years.  

Once the administrative phase is completed, the construction itself would take about five years. "Everything could be finished by 2034," he concluded.  

Additionally, the company's president emphasized that this expansion will more than double Aena's upcoming investment. "My estimate is that the regulated investment between 2017 and 2031 will be significantly above €1 billion a year," he said.