Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced Aena’s most ambitious airport investment plan in 20 years, with €12.9 billion earmarked for infrastructure upgrades between 2027 and 2031. The plan is designed to prepare Spain’s airports for future demand while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.
Of the €12.9 billion, €9.99 billion will go toward regulated investments under Spain’s civil aviation framework, while the remainder will support non-regulated commercial initiatives. The investment will be distributed across Aena’s network of 46 airports and 2 heliports, benefiting facilities nationwide.
Strengthening a global leader
Speaking at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, Sánchez highlighted Aena’s success as the world’s largest airport operator by passenger traffic and market capitalization, attributing it to Spain’s hybrid public-private model:
“This model brings together excellence in management, competitive airport charges, and strong financial results,” Sánchez said. “It has turned our airport network into a lever for economic competitiveness, investment, tourism growth, and territorial cohesion.”
Infrastructure for growth
The investments will focus on terminal and airfield upgrades, IT and digitization, security enhancements, and sustainability initiatives — including measures to help Aena achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Major projects in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and environmental performance will begin during the current 2022–2026 period and scale up from 2027.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente underlined that Spain’s airport network is already “one of the most efficient, modern and competitive in the world,” and stressed that charges would remain among the lowest in Europe despite the scale of the investment.
Transparent process
Aena’s CEO, Maurici Lucena, noted that the proposals were driven by technical forecasts of air traffic demand, not political considerations. Under Spanish law, the plan will undergo consultations with airlines, local administrations, and regional Airport Coordination Committees. The results will feed into the third Airport Regulation Document (DORA 3), to be finalized and approved by the Council of Ministers.
By modernizing Spain’s airports while keeping fees competitive, Aena aims to balance future growth with sustainability and accessibility, reinforcing its position as a global leader in aviation infrastructure.
