Aena launches a macro-contest that will decide what you'll eat at El Prat Airport.

BarcelonaThe tender hasn't been open for ten years, and it won't be again for another decade. Airport operator Aena presented this Tuesday the new macro-catering competition for El Prat Airport, through which 98% of the infrastructure's gastronomic offering will be selected for the next 8 to 12 years. This tender includes a total of 49 units organized into 29 lots, equivalent to a total surface area of ​​20,188 square meters, 30% more than the previous edition.

One hundred representatives from companies in the sector attended the Muerde Barcelona event, with which Aena presented this macro-competition. The company has announced that it wants to focus on "established airport concepts" such as hamburger restaurants, spaces dedicated to ham, food markets, cafes, takeaway establishments, and healthy options. Aena also assures that it will continue to open its space to "new trends" such as a vermouth bar, a Japanese restaurant, gluten-free options, and a 225-square-meter premium restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef.

As a novelty, the airport operator will incorporate open-concept venues, that is, those without a pre-established restaurant type established by Aena, "to give operators greater flexibility." For the remaining areas, the specifications specify the gastronomic offerings that the companies applying must serve. In addition, it will also bid on three 40-square-meter spaces located in strategic, highly profitable locations. In this regard, the area designated for terraces has been expanded, especially in the north of the airport, which will be offered entirely under a contract for the next twelve years as a space with restaurants and entertainment that may also include shops, events, and leisure activities.

Burger joints and haute cuisine

Currently, El Prat Airport's restaurants include American fast-food chains such as Burger King, McDonald's, and Starbucks, as well as local establishments such as Boldú Ovens and Mussol Restaurant. Regarding haute cuisine, Terminal 1 features the Torres brothers' Alas project and Montesquiu Dry Martini, which also serves cocktails from the legendary restaurant owned by businessman Javier de las Muelas.

Aena's general director of sales and real estate, María José Cuenda, explained during the presentation event that Barcelona is one of the listed company's most important commercial tenders, generating €3.4 billion in sales. The airport manager is opaque about the profits generated by each of its airports and has not disclosed its earnings from El Prat for years. The executive emphasized that the Catalan capital's airport is the fifth largest in Europe in terms of passenger volume. with 55 million passengers transported last year, and "deserves a high-quality offering that reflects Aena's image and experience." In 2024 alone, El Prat Airport users consumed 3.4 million hamburgers, 4.2 million coffees, and 5.3 million bottles of water.