By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-21 14:23:57 | Updated at 2026-09-21 14:58:52
56 minutes ago
Angry demonstrators took to the streets across three of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, protesting plans by the national airport authority, Aena, to expand airport infrastructure.
Crowds marched through Barcelona, Palma in Mallorca and Ibiza Town, waving banners, blowing whistles and voicing fears that the proposed upgrades would exacerbate already severe overtourism problems.
Local police put the turnout in Barcelona at roughly 5,500, with organisers insisting the true figure was closer to 30,000.
Further thousands gathered in Palma and Ibiza.
No arrests were reported, and the demonstrations were described as largely peaceful.
Aena has rejected claims that its multi-million-pound investment programme would draw additional visitors, maintaining that the works are essential modernisations rather than capacity expansions.
In Barcelona, the march set off at midday from Passeig de Gràcia under the rallying cry "No to expansion, neither now nor never," concluding at Plaça de Sant Jaume.
More than 250 organisations and over 150 academics backed the action, according to the organisers.
Angry demonstrators took to the streets across three of Spain's most popular tourist destinations
REUTERS
Participants included health workers, educators, public transport campaigners and groups such as Living Costs Us Life and Enough Noise.
Some 300 cyclists and four farm tractors also joined the procession.
Placards bore messages including "Commuter trains for the people, not airports for the one per cent" and "Listen to science, this is an emergency."
Alba Bou, mayor of El Prat de Llobregat, said: "It is disappointing to think that they have not buried an expansion proposal that does not do any service to ordinary people and to those who aspire to leave a liveable world to future generations."
No arrests were reported
REUTERS
In Palma, hundreds rallied to demand a halt to any measures that would boost capacity at Son Sant Joan airport, calling instead for fewer flights and a tourism model that eases the island's burden.
Spokesman Pere Joan Femenia said the Balearic Islands were "at the limit," challenging Aena's claim that its plans would only upgrade facilities rather than expand them.
He told the crowd: "It cannot be that after midnight planes continue to pass over our houses."
Protesters also demanded restrictions on private aviation, an end to promoting new air routes, and a co-management law giving the islands a say over airport decisions.
In Barcelona, the march set off at midday from Passeig de Gràcia
REUTERS
In Ibiza, the evening demonstration was organised by the Associació Joves d'Eivissa.
Organisers in Ibiza had already spoken out against proposals to nearly double the number of boarding gates from 17 to 32, as well as plans to enlarge the VIP area and create a dedicated zone for non-Schengen flights, arguing these changes would heap further strain on the region and its public services.
Most political parties, civic organisations and members of civil society on the island have opposed the expansion, demonstrators said.
Aena has countered that the refurbishment will neither increase the airfield's capacity nor raise the number of take-offs and landings per hour.
The authority argues that additional gates are required to separate Schengen and non-Schengen passengers and to comply with European safety regulations.
