Lucena explained that, with a forecast of 58 million passengers in 2025, the Barcelona airport is already “pushing efficiencies” and utilizing off-peak hours to manage current activity. This situation places it as the airport “closest to its limit” of operational capacity.
“"El Prat is the airport closest to its limit and is pushing efficiencies and taking advantage of off-peak hours and certain days of activity."
To alleviate saturation during the expansion works, Aena foresees a “spillover effect.” This activity diversion will primarily affect Girona-Costa Brava Airport and, to a lesser extent, Reus Airport. The extent of this redistribution will depend directly on the duration of the construction.
Regarding connection strategy, Lucena highlighted that Barcelona is consolidating itself as an “emerging hub” oriented towards the East and offering reasonable connections to Latin America. In contrast, Madrid airports will remain the most powerful, focused on routes towards Asia.
Finally, the Aena president referred to airport tariffs. The 6.44% increase approved by the CNMC for this year will be followed by more moderate increases between 2027 and 2031, aiming to guarantee the economic sustainability of the service.
