The debate over whether or not it is necessary to expand El Prat Airport has been rather simplistic and has been characterized by conflicting and bitter positions based on political party alignment. For some, it has been a symbol of an outdated developmental model, and for others, a condition sine qua non For being in the world and somewhat too focused on associating growth with well-being, something that doesn't have an exact correlation. In fact, the issue isn't really—or at least shouldn't be—"growth." per se and linked to increasing tourist flow, but rather the extension of a runway that makes it possible for intercontinental flights to land and take off, so we don't have to be secondary in global communication networks. If the economic focus is on reindustrialization and a knowledge-based economy, there is no doubt not only about its benefits but also about its imperative need to be attractive to the global economy. However, increasing flights to more Chinese or American cities and their frequency does not mean that those who come from now on will only be CEOs of large companies, university researchers, or engineers dedicated to AI. As seems obvious, everyone who wants to come will come and, therefore, many more tourists, with the negative implications this entails in a city already absolutely saturated with visitors. I am aware that actions are being taken by the Generalitat (Generalitat) and Barcelona City Council to address a complex issue that has ended up turning Barcelona into an uninhabitable theme park and economically unsustainable for its citizens. Along the way, culture and personality are also left behind, without addressing the issue of the environmental unsustainability of the phenomenon at this point in the film. As a means of economic development, tourism is pitiful: a large portion of spending goes to airlines, technology platforms, and multinational hotel companies based abroad. Its intensive use of low-skilled and poorly paid labor could also be discussed. The average salary in the hospitality industry, which accompanies the tourism sector, is €17,000, while in industry it is over €40,000. Precariousness, a great deal of precariousness, and too many negative externalities.
Is this reason not to build the new runway? I'm one of those who think it should be done. President Illa's announcement a few days ago strikes me as brave and necessary. Governments are there to make decisions, not to let complex issues move at the age-old pace of the Church. It may not be easy to process it with the current parliamentary majority, but there's support from a large portion of civil society that understands, however cautiously, that if we wanted to be in the first division, this runway extension was absolutely necessary. It will take time to see it realized; the deadlines are long, and the political debate is far from over. But there is a government commitment to a project that is as respectful as possible of a natural environment, about which demagoguery is not worthwhile. Ricarda is a natural space created artificially, which means it's valid to replace it. I believe this is a crucial aspect of the project that has been presented, and that it can still be subject to many improvements in its final draft. A huge investment, without a doubt, that must materialize during the first five years of the next decade. The problem isn't technical; it has nothing to do with engineering, nor with the Llobregat reservoirs affected. In any case, the challenge of increasing flight and passenger absorption capacity is that it generates many unwanted and difficult-to-bear effects. The challenge is here. Last year, El Prat Airport received 55 million passengers, and this year it will approach 60 million. Barcelona city has collapsed with 30 million visitors and almost 100 million overnight stays in Catalonia. We're moving towards an airport with 80 million travelers per year. A 40% increase. This, given the size of Barcelona, even Catalonia, is clearly excessive. These figures are thrilling to the local tourism sector, but they make no sense as a country's investment. Would caution in visitor absorption justify keeping El Prat Airport as it is? I don't think so. As the saying goes, when you throw out the dirty water from the bath, you shouldn't throw out the baby inside. However, we must accept that unlimited growth in tourism, as well as in GDP, is not possible even in our wildest dreams. What kind of country do we want and will we build?
