Politics · Spain · 5 hrs ago
Spain and Catalonia agree to coordinate on airport development
Spain’s central government and Catalonia have agreed to create a joint body to coordinate airport development in the region.
The group will have equal representation, and its decisions will require consensus.
Its first task is to review planned investments in the next airport regulation plan, but Aena will retain control of airport operations.
The new body cannot change airport charges already set for 2027 to 2031.
The agreement comes as Barcelona-El Prat faces a proposed expansion that must pass environmental reviews.
The two governments also agreed to plan more road repairs on the AP-7 and AP-2 and to prepare a cooperation proposal for the 120-kilometre Orbital Railway by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
They also intend to make progress on transferring the R1 commuter rail line to Catalonia.
Spain’s central government and Catalonia agreed to coordinate on the development of Catalan airports through a new bilateral body.
The body will have equal representation and make decisions by consensus, but will have no executive powers.
Aena will retain responsibility for managing the airports, and the body’s views on planned investments will not bind the company.
The agreement aims to improve the competitiveness of Catalonia’s airport system and align environmental and operational policies.
The bilateral meeting also agreed on more cooperation over the AP-7 and AP-2 motorways and plans to advance rail projects.
- Who
- Spain’s central government and the Catalan government.
- What
- They agreed to create a bilateral body to coordinate strategies for developing Catalan airports.
- When
- At a meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
- Where
- Barcelona.
- Why
- To improve the competitiveness of Catalonia’s airport system and coordinate policies between the administrations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spain’s government signed a similar airport cooperation agreement with the Basque government.
Spain’s Council of Ministers approved airport charges for 2027–2031.
Spain’s central and Catalan governments agreed to create a bilateral airport body at a meeting in Barcelona.
The governments plan to prepare a collaboration proposal for the Orbital Railway Line.
- New body
- Órgano Bilateral Aeroportuario Generalitat-Estado
- Decision-making
- Equal representation; decisions by consensus
- Airport operator
- Aena retains management of the public airport network
- First task
- Review planned investments in DORA III
- Motorways
- AP-7 and AP-2
- Rail proposal deadline
- Before the end of the first quarter of 2027