The development of the AAC is a direct result of the investiture agreement between Salvador Illa and ERC, which pressures the Generalitat to have greater decision-making power over the governance of the Barcelona airport, currently owned by Aena. Sources from the Catalan Executive emphasize that the authority will be limited to already transferred functions but will organize them to maximize the scope of autonomous action.
“"It must allow us to have a country airport model well integrated into the territory and with its own voice from Catalonia in dialogue with the different bodies, such as Aena or EU entities."
As agreed by the Consell Executiu, the AAC will strengthen the capacity for planning and ordering the airport system. A technical committee under the coordination of Aeroports Públics de Catalunya is expected to be activated within a maximum of one month to promote the modification of Law 14/2009. The intention is to process the law in the Parliament throughout this year so that the entity is operational by 2027.
The body would improve coordination and give the Generalitat more strength to influence key decisions, such as the preparation of the Airport Regulation Document (DORA), where Aena sets investments (like the expansion of El Prat, budgeted at 3.2 billion euros). However, the AAC will not allow participation in direct management, a red line for Aena's private shareholders, who have warned of legal action if the company's structure is altered.
“"Once we have unblocked the issue of the expansion of the El Prat airport, the next issue we had on the table was how to improve our participation in governance."
