Barcelona Airport to receive €1.76 billion investment through 2031

Barcelona-El Prat Airport is set to receive €1.76 billion in investment between 2027 and 2031, under the new Spanish Airport Regulation Document (DORA III) approved by the Spanish Government. The five-year investment plan will upgrade the airport’s infrastructure, improve passenger experience and strengthen its capacity, safety and operational efficiency.

The investment forms part of a €1.96 billion package for Catalonia’s four Aena-managed airports: Barcelona-El Prat, Girona-Costa Brava, Reus and Sabadell. Across Spain, DORA III foresees almost €13 billion in investment in Aena’s airport network over the same period.

€1.76 billion to modernize Barcelona-El Prat

The largest share of the Catalan investment will go to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, with €1.76 billion earmarked for the next five years.

The programme includes the reconfiguration of Terminals 1 and 2, improvements to T2 and its parking facilities, and a series of upgrades to the airfield and aircraft apron.

Planned works also include improvements to runway 06R/24L, a new rapid-exit taxiway on runway 02/20, and preparatory work linked to a future runway extension and satellite terminal. The DORA III investment programme does not, however, include the full extension of the airport during the 2027–2031 period.

The investment builds on a separate €153.4 million programme to comprehensively renovate Terminal 2, announced by Aena in July, with the aim of creating a more modern, sustainable and better-connected transport hub.

Investment across Catalonia’s airport network

The remaining investment will be distributed across Catalonia’s other airports.

• Girona-Costa Brava Airport will receive around €112.4 million, including improvements to the boarding and arrivals areas, expansion of the apron and airfield works. The programme also includes measures to improve intermodality and support the future connection between the high-speed rail station and the airport terminal.
• Reus Airport will receive €62.7 million for improvements to the terminal, passenger comfort, access roads, parking facilities and safety infrastructure, including runway and drainage works.
• At Sabadell Airport, €22.3 million will fund improvements to access and urban infrastructure, apron expansion and safety facilities.

Supporting international connectivity

The investment comes as Barcelona-El Prat continues to strengthen its role as a major international gateway for Catalonia. The airport has expanded its global connectivity in 2026 with new routes to markets in North America, Latin America and North Africa, supporting Catalonia’s position as an international destination for business, investment and tourism.

The DORA III programme will be financed through Aena’s own revenues rather than Spain’s central government budget. According to the Spanish Government, the plan also envisages an almost frozen average airport tariff, with an increase of around €0.03 per passenger per year.

Source: Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility