Spain approves €13 billion airport investment plan for 2027 to 2031

Allocation breakdown across primary hubs

Spain's Council of Ministers approved the Airport Regulation Document (DORA III) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, outlining nearly €13 billion in airport spending between 2027 and 2031. The funds will be managed by state-owned operator Aena to modernise terminals and expand operational capacity across the national network. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas receives the largest allocation at €4,477 million, which includes expanding terminals T4 and T4S, constructing a centralised facility for check-in and security across terminals T1, T2, and T3, and connecting the airport to high-speed rail and metro extensions. Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat ranks second with €1,760 million, followed by Alicante at €868 million and Málaga at €830 million.

Upgrades and runway dispute at Barcelona-El Prat

The investment at Barcelona-El Prat focuses on reconfiguring terminals T1 and T2. Terminal T1 will expand its facade by 38 metres toward the parking area, adding 70,000 square metres of floor space to increase check-in capacity and removing the decommissioned 2005 control tower. The older T2 facility will undergo remodelling, including relocating the Joan Miró mural to the T1 facade, alongside runway maintenance works. The plan assigns €191 million to environmental compensation and preparatory planning for a proposed extension of the sea-side runway and a satellite terminal.

Sumar ministers voiced opposition to expanding airport infrastructure, citing environmental impact on the La Ricarda wetlands, protected under the Natura 2000 network, and the projected traffic increase from 55 million to 70 million passengers. Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture and Sumar spokesperson, criticized the project.

We oppose this plan to continue indefinitely expanding airport activity.

Regional allocations and financing structure

Beyond Madrid and Barcelona, the regulatory document allocates funding across autonomous communities. Catalunya receives €1,963 million in total, the Canary Islands receive €1,807 million, Andalusia receives €1,267 million, and the Balearic Islands receive €1,030 million. In the Canary Islands, Tenerife Sur receives €553 million for terminal remodelling, while Gran Canaria is allocated €336.3 million. In the Balearic Islands, Palma receives €621.6 million for baggage inspection systems and flight field upgrades. Smaller allocations include €207 million for Galicia, €104 million for Aragón, and €18.5 million for Valladolid airport.

Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente stated that the five-year investment is fully funded by Aena's commercial and operating revenues rather than the central government budget. Average airport charges will rise by three euro cents per passenger per year across the network.

Political debate and execution schedule

Puente stated that physical construction on Barcelona's sea-side runway will not proceed without European Commission approval and will fall under the subsequent DORA IV regulatory cycle. The preparatory funds in DORA III will acquire nearby land to establish comparable environmental preservation areas. Business groups in Catalonia, including the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona through infrastructure director Alícia Casart, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed timeline. The business group estimated that deferring runway works pushes the completion date from the previously agreed 2033 target to 2035 at the earliest.