The Council Clashes with the Government Over El Prat Expansion, Demands 'Maximum Urgency' for Alicante-Elche Airport

There is a new clash between the Generalitat and the Government. The Council has once again erupted against the Central Executive following the announcement of the expansion of Barcelona El Prat Airport, where 3.2 billion euros will be allocated. This decision has not been well received by the regional administration, as the future expansion of the Alicante-Elche airport terminal is still in its early stages.

The Council has lamented 'the Government's abandonment' and is calling for 'maximum urgency' to undertake works at the Alicante airport. The head of Industry and Tourism, Marián Cano, while welcoming this investment to improve connectivity, states that 'we cannot accept that while a significant investment for Barcelona is clearly defined, in Alicante we are still waiting for the second runway, a strategic and urgent action.'

After the first four months, Alicante-Elche airport has recorded several records, and all indications are that 2025 will once again be the year with the highest passenger traffic. In this regard, the councillor points out that the terminal 'is operating beyond its technical capacity, with record figures and a sustained growth trend.'

Cano insists that, according to the study by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce presented in 2024, not expanding the Alicante terminal 'could result in million-euro losses in revenue and employment.' It is estimated that two million passengers could stop arriving each year, with an impact of 920 million euros in annual tourism revenue if the second runway is not built.

In this regard, the councillor points out that while other regions, such as Catalonia, are advancing with significant investments for the expansion of Barcelona airport, the Valencian Community is still waiting, and calls for 'a fair and balanced treatment with the economic and tourism reality of our territory.'

The councillor has demanded 'actions, not promises' and boasts that the Community and Alicante 'have demonstrated their ability to attract tourists, investments, and air traffic', but, according to Cano, now a 'fair, balanced, and transparent planning is needed, placing our infrastructures where they deserve to be: at the level of their demand and economic potential.'