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AENA Sets September Start for Can Sabadell Renaturalization Under EU Order

The restoration aims to resolve a Brussels infringement case seen as key to advancing the Barcelona-El Prat expansion.

Overview

  • AENA will remove asphalt and disused infrastructure from former bus and taxi parks and access roads at Can Sabadell to restore native wetland vegetation near the T1 area.
  • Roughly 2 hectares have been restored and about 1.45 hectares are near completion within a target of around 7.5 hectares in this sector.
  • The next phase begins on 1 September 2026 with a €2.962 million budget, pauses from 1 March to 31 July to protect breeding fauna, and targets completion around late 2027.
  • The works implement explicit European Commission requirements under an infringement file against Spain, a step expected to help unlock approval for the airport’s enlargement.
  • The Catalan government urges early purchase of about 25% of the 270 hectares planned for wider compensation, the EU has recently recorded the ZEPA enlargement, and a delta management plan is being drafted for 2026.