Airport operator Aena has announced plans to build a hotel at Barcelona’s El Prat airport. This ambitious project is part of a broader strategy to promote the development of hotel establishments around airports in five key Spanish cities.
The plan, developed in collaboration with the consulting firm Catella, an expert in real estate investments, aims to begin construction of these properties within three years.
Catella has been selected among five large companies in the national real estate sector to advise Aena on this project, following an award worth 1.52 million euros.
The construction of a hotel at El Prat Airport
Catella’s feasibility analysis will focus on understanding the particularities of the tourism and business travel sector in Barcelona, as well as identifying hotel trends and specific needs in the airport environment.
This detailed study will serve as the basis for defining the project concept and finding the best operators for these future establishments.
The news comes at a key moment, in the midst of the debate on the possible expansion of Barcelona airport. The expansion, proposed by the employers’ association Foment del Treball, seeks to improve the airport’s capacity to handle a greater number of flights and passengers.
However, the lack of adequate expansion could jeopardize Barcelona’s competitiveness vis-à-vis other European cities in terms of attracting foreign investment.
An expanding plan
Aena’s plan to build airport hotels is not limited to Barcelona, but also includes airports in Madrid, Malaga, Valencia and Seville.
This initiative seeks to maximize the value of available land and diversify activities complementary to airport activity, thus contributing to the economic and social growth of the regions where they operate.
In recent years, Aena has intensified its activity in real estate, with a significant increase in revenues in this sector.
Projects such as the Airport City in Madrid-Barajas and the development of the hub at Barcelona-El Prat Airport demonstrate the company’s commitment to the diversification and expansion of its operations.
Catella, a consulting firm specializing in real estate investments, has been selected to advise Aena on this project.
Construction of the hotel is expected to begin in approximately three years, following an exhaustive feasibility study that will analyze the particularities of the tourism sector and business travel needs in and around the El Prat area.
The construction of a hotel at El Prat airport represents an important step in Aena’s efforts to boost tourism and improve the traveler experience.
