Spain approves 13 billion euro DORA III airport investment plan through 2031

National framework and fee adjustments

Spain's Council of Ministers approved the Airport Regulation Document for 2027 to 2031 on 15 September 2026, setting a 13 billion euro investment plan across state-managed facilities. The framework, designated as DORA III, will be financed entirely through Aena operating revenues rather than the central state budget. Aena forecasts average air traffic growth of 1.8% annually throughout the five-year period. Airport charges will adjust by 0.33% per year, equivalent to three euro cents per passenger, following an 11% cumulative increase in fees since 2024. Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente described the updated fee structure as very competitive for airlines.

Investments and delays at Barcelona-El Prat

Catalan airports will receive 1.96 billion euros under the plan, with up to 1.76 billion euros assigned directly to Barcelona-El Prat. Planned works include structural reconfigurations across Terminals 1 and 2, improvements to parking areas at Terminal 2, transversal runway maintenance, and over 100 million euros for repaving and lighting on the sea-facing runway. The plan allocates 191.25 million euros for preliminary preparatory works, but defers the physical extension of the runway over the protected La Ricarda lagoon. Aena Chief Executive Maurici Lucena confirmed that runway lengthening and satellite terminal construction will wait for the subsequent regulatory cycle after 2030.

The satellite terminal, the runway expansion, the lengthening and other reforms in the airfield will already be in DORA IV.

Regional airport upgrades

The regulatory package assigns targeted funding to smaller regional hubs to update technical facilities and safety infrastructure. Asturias Airport will receive 50.3 million euros for runway resurfacing, international departure lounge expansion, boarding bridge replacements, and screening security equipment. Albacete Airport is allocated 9 million euros for runway repaving, winter maintenance vehicles, and climate control upgrades. In Extremadura, Badajoz Airport will receive 5.2 million euros to renew fire service vehicles, modernize visual aids, and assess a higher-category instrument landing system to prevent fog disruptions.

Between January and August 2026, Asturias Airport handled 1,513,213 passengers, reflecting a 10.5% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Domestic commercial traffic reached 1,237,623 passengers across the eight-month span, while international traffic accounted for 272,467 travellers.

Political friction and industry reactions

The investment package drew opposing reactions from political parties and airline industry groups. Minister of Culture and Sumar spokesperson Ernest Urtasun opposed further airport capacity growth and urged the European Commission to intervene against construction in the Natura 2000 protected wetlands of the Llobregat delta.

We reject the model of continuing to expand airport capacities.

Catalan business federation Foment del Treball expressed disappointment over the deferred runway project, while noting that preparatory funding keeps long-term plans alive. Foment Vice President Lluís Moreno noted that the delayed works will eventually proceed despite political opposition.

We lost 5 years when the Government in 2021 said no to the expansion.

Catalan business association Pimec stated that omitting structural capacity improvements restricts international connectivity for local firms. Budget carrier Ryanair, which cut roughly three million seats across Spanish regional airports during 2025 and 2026 amid disputes with Transport Minister Óscar Puente, welcomed the fee cap but warned that failing to lower charges could prompt the relocation of incoming Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft to alternative markets.