The Catalan government is pushing to create an airport authority to manage all airports in Catalonia, including the key El Prat Airport. This move aims to increase Catalonia's say in how El Prat is run, which is currently controlled by Aena, Spain's national airport operator.
Clash over governance
Aena is firmly against transferring control of El Prat or allowing Catalonia any management space there. Maurici Lucena, Aena's president, described these attempts as "legally null." He explained that legally and economically, shifting management to a regional authority would harm Aena and its shareholders.
Lucena pointed out that Aena is a publicly traded company with 49% private shareholders and 51% owned by Spain's Ministry of Transport. Any political move affecting ownership or management must consider the interests of all shareholders, he said.
Political context
The debate over El Prat’s governance has intensified following political agreements between the Socialists (PSC) and Catalan independentists (ERC). Although ERC seeks to manage Catalan airports directly, the coalition deal only promises increased influence, not direct control.
The Catalan authority would centralize airport governance in the region, allowing greater local coordination. However, Aena defends a centralized public-private model, labelled a success, with solid financial performance and high passenger traffic.
Official voices
At a recent Madrid forum, Transport Minister Óscar Puente praised Aena's leadership and the economic results of Spanish airports, calling Aena's model "a model of success." He emphasized balancing growth with environmental goals like decarbonization.
Meanwhile, Lucena warned that ceding airport management to regional authorities against Aena’s will could be legally challenged and nullified. He stressed that these changes would not just be political but have serious economic repercussions.
What’s next?
The tension between Catalonia and Aena is set to continue as political pressures grow. While Catalonia pushes for greater control, legal and financial realities make direct governance transfers difficult. The standoff highlights ongoing challenges in Spain’s complex public-private arrangements for infrastructure management.
