Thousands march in Barcelona against airport expansion as protests spread to Balearic Islands

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Barcelona on Sunday to protest against the planned expansion of El Prat airport, as concerns grew that increased aviation capacity could exacerbate issues related to mass tourism, housing shortages, and climate change. Similar demonstrations took place in Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, turning the opposition to airport growth into a wider protest across three of Spain's most popular tourist destinations.

In Barcelona, the march began at midday at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer d’Aragó, then traversed through the city center to Plaça de Sant Jaume. According to the Barcelona local police, around 5,500 individuals participated, while organizers claimed over 30,000 people joined the protest. The demonstration was organized by the Zeroport platform, which received support from over 250 organizations, collectives, and approximately 130 academics.

Participants arrived from various parts of Barcelona and its metropolitan area, using foot, bicycle, and public transport. Notably, around 100 cyclists and two tractors from the Baix Llobregat area joined the procession.

The Zeroport platform termed the mobilization as a clear display of "outright opposition" to the expansion of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Jaume Osete, a spokesperson for the platform, argued that the project would "exacerbate other societal problems."

Environmental concerns were a significant aspect of the debate, with opponents arguing that expanding the airport's capacity would heighten tourism-related pressures during a period when Barcelona and Catalonia are already grappling with the repercussions of mass tourism and housing shortages. Environmentalists were particularly worried about the potential impact on the Llobregat Delta and its protected habitats and birdlife.

Spain's government had recently approved the DORA III programme for airports operated by Aena, covering the period 2027 to 2031. This five-year plan envisions investing nearly €13 billion across Aena's Spanish airport network, with approximately €1.76 billion dedicated to Barcelona-El Prat. The Barcelona package includes extensive upgrades to the existing terminals, airfield, and infrastructure.

However, the plan does not cover the construction of the controversial extension to the airport's sea-side runway or the proposed new satellite terminal. Instead, €191 million has been allocated to preparatory measures for potential future expansion, including environmental compensation and preliminary work. The longer-term proposal involves extending runway 06R/24L by approximately 500 meters, mainly to accommodate long-haul and intercontinental flights.

This proposal has been particularly contentious due to its potential impact on the environmentally sensitive Llobregat Delta, including protected land around La Ricarda. The contested expansion is seen as a means to boost Barcelona's international connectivity and eventually enable the airport to handle a significantly higher number of passengers. The city's airport already operates at record levels, handling almost 57.5 million passengers in 2025.

The latest dispute reignites a controversy that emerged five years ago. A previous proposal to extend the runway and build a satellite terminal sparked a major demonstration in Barcelona in 2021, which was later abandoned due to political disagreements and environmental concerns. Spanish and Catalan authorities have returned to the project in 2025 with a revised proposal for the airport's future development.