Madrid Barajas aims to become the largest airport in Europe, surpassing London Heathrow
While the expansion plan of London Heathrow Airport remains stuck due to opposition, several other airports in Europe have announced launch of substantial developments.
According to a press statement, the Spanish government plans to invest over EUR 2 billion to expand the Madrid Barajas airport to increase its capacity to 90 million passengers by 2031.
The statement says that Madrid Barajas aims to become the largest airport in Europe, surpassing London Heathrow, which served around 80 million passengers last year.
According to the Spanish authorities, the expansion is expected to create around 60,000 additional jobs and strengthen Madrid’s leading role as a European Latin American hub while expanding its reach into Asia as a second pillar.
The statement adds that Frankfurt Airport is set to open Terminal 3 in 2026, which will be capable of handling up to 19 million more passengers. Additionally, another terminal is being planned in Paris. The number of passengers at Charles de Gaulle Airport is expected to be between 107 and 126 million by 2037.
In Greece, Athens Airport will also expand. Last year it served 28.2 million passengers in total, nearly 2.2 million more than its maximum capacity. This represents a 10 pc growth over 2019. A plan for expanding in three stages is underway to accommodate the growth, the statement adds.
It says that the airport’s final stage is expected to be completed by 2045, will increase passenger capacity to 50 million and will increase the terminal area by 81,000 sqm.
New boarding areas, an enlargement of the check-in area, and an expansion of the baggage claim area is underway.
On the airside, 32 new parking positions for aircraft will be created, along with taxiways. The project is expected to take around three years and cost approximately EUR 650 million, according to reports.
