Barcelona Airport Sets Ambitious Goal: New Intercontinental Routes to Asia and America by 2030
Barcelona, June 1, 2026 – Barcelona Airport (El Prat) has unveiled an ambitious Strategic Plan 2030, aiming to significantly enhance its intercontinental connectivity by prioritizing new direct flights to key markets in Asia and America. The plan, presented yesterday at Barcelona City Council by the Air Route Development Committee (CDRA), now rebranded as “Barcelona Airlink,” seeks to solidify Barcelona’s position as a “high value-added intercontinental hub” within an increasingly competitive global aviation landscape.
Over the past two decades, Barcelona Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from handling one million intercontinental passengers and 17 destinations to nearly 8 million passengers and 59 transoceanic routes. Annual passenger traffic has surged from 27.2 million to 57.5 million, accompanied by a shift towards a more diversified and international network, focusing on “high value-added segments.”
Strategic Plan 2030: A Focus on High-Impact Routes
The new strategic plan emphasizes an “economy-oriented” approach, prioritizing routes with significant economic, business, scientific, technological, and cultural impact. The CDRA has identified several markets with high potential for Barcelona, including Asia (specifically China, Japan, and India), North America, and Latin America.
Among the top priority unserved routes, the committee highlighted Tokyo, Delhi, and Bangkok. Other promising opportunities include Houston, Orlando, Manila, Lima, and Lahore. In total, Barcelona Airlink has identified over 70 unserved routes that could be strategic for the region and possess significant demand potential.
Key Stakeholders Present the Vision
The presentation event was attended by prominent figures, including Raquel Gil, Deputy Mayor for Economic Promotion of Barcelona; Eva Valenzuela, Airport Director; Miquel Martí, Third Vice-President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and member of the Fira de Barcelona board; and Manel Nadal, Secretary of Mobility of the Generalitat and President of the CDRA.
During the press conference, the committee officially announced its rebranding to “Barcelona Airlink.” When questioned about the airport’s expansion, Director Eva Valenzuela stated that it “is following the planned schedule.” Nadal affirmed that the new airport governance agreement with ERC is well underway and reiterated the Catalan government’s commitment to its progress. Miquel Martí urged for “maximum acceleration of all environmental procedures” to meet deadlines and overcome bottlenecks, ensuring the region remains competitive and attractive for foreign investment.
Barcelona’s Leadership and Future Growth
Raquel Gil praised the CDRA’s crucial role in underpinning Barcelona’s economic objectives, while Eva Valenzuela projected that 2026 would conclude with “stable and consolidated growth,” reaching up to 62 intercontinental routes, including new destinations like Lima and Seattle. Gil underscored the plan’s significance, stating, “For us, it is not just a technical document of routes and frequencies, but a fundamental commitment to the city we want to be.” She emphasized that connectivity is paramount for Barcelona’s international leadership.
The Strategic Plan 2030 underscores Barcelona’s determination to become a leading intercontinental aviation hub, fostering economic growth and strengthening its global presence through a meticulously planned expansion of its flight network.
