More direct intercontinental flights are needed at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, according to a study presented by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. The organisation reported that over 5.3 million of the 9.6 million intercontinental passengers travelling to or from Barcelona do so indirectly, making layovers at other airports because of insufficient direct connections.
The Chamber of Commerce insists Barcelona has enough potential to increase its connectivity. The city possesses "demand, brand, and global assets" to attract new long-haul routes, officials said. Asia, North America, and specific Latin American routes are identified as destinations with significant potential for new passengers.
Barcelona's Strong Connectivity
The report, produced by the Urban Economy Observatory, also places Barcelona Airport among Europe's best-connected airports. It ranks as the 5th busiest airport in Europe by demand, behind London, Paris, Istanbul, and Milan, and 22nd globally. Joan Ramon Rovira, head of the Chamber of Commerce's Economic Studies Department, stated, "we have a degree of connectivity higher than what would correspond to us as a city without being a capital or having a flag intercontinental airline."
Barcelona Airport generates a turnover of €33.689 billion, contributes €16.399 billion in added value to Catalonia's GDP, and supports nearly 218,000 jobs, according to the study.
Defending Tourism's Role
Josep Santacreu, president of the Chamber of Commerce, defended tourism's positive contribution to connectivity and the wider economy. Santacreu explained that Barcelona's connectivity exists because it is a place many people want to visit. He also warned about the impact on other commercial activities.
"If we did not have tourism, many other sectors would suffer greatly," Santacreu added. "Without tourism, we would not be the country we are, and the rest of the non-tourism sectors would suffer a lot." Rovira further explained that "the base that has allowed us to build this high degree of connectivity is tourism." He noted tourism provides the initial volume of connections, route profitability, and destination diversity. Beyond tourism, Barcelona's connectivity also relates to research and the health sector, attracting foreign investment, and industrial, logistical, and export-based air cargo.
Future Strategy for Routes
The Chamber of Commerce study suggests a future strategy should focus on three main objectives. Firstly, preserving tourism's role as a major generator of international air demand. Secondly, strengthening intercontinental connections in markets where Barcelona already has latent demand. Thirdly, integrating all assets that complement tourism into route promotion efforts. Achieving these objectives could help maintain existing routes, reduce seasonality, and increase urban resilience, the report concluded.
