The decades-old conflict around El Prat airport and the destruction of the Llobregat Delta is one of Europe’s most important environmental justice struggles. The conflict entered a new stage, with airport expansion plans being put back on the table in June 2025.
An article by Franziska Schmidt, with input and feedback from Ariadna Cotén, Zeroport. This article is the result of desk-based research and an interview with Ariadna in June 2025. An important source was an academic paper on the conflict by Sara Mingorría and Ariadna Cotén which was based on analysis and reflections from internal debates within Zeroport and public contributions from members of Zeroport and Stay Grounded.
The proposal threatens the internationally important La Ricarda and Remolar Wetlands and would bring even more intercontinental flights and cruise passengers, further cementing Barcelonaas a hub for mass tourism.
The resistance to this airport project is being led by Zeroport, a diverse coalition of over 150 grassroots organizations, including neighbourhood associations, environmental NGOs, farming cooperatives, climate justice groups and anti-touristification movements. They united around the interconnected themes of overtourism, just urban development and territorial defence and successfully reached out to related struggles elsewhere.
The conflict and mobilisation had culminated when yet another huge extension was announced in 2020. Activists achieved a 5-year expansion freeze in September 2021, but have not been idle: They used the interim to consolidate alliances, connect with regional politicians and educate themselves about other related struggles. Their steady, persistent grassroots organising (what they call ‘ant work’) rather than explosive short-term campaigning anticipated the June 2025 expansion proposal and Zeroport was ready to launch the next round of mobilisation. Crucially, they have two Catalan coalition parties and the European Union’s environmental regulation on their side. What can be learned from the rich history of this struggle?
