Back in 2009, the Barcelona Airport, also known as the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, expanded from one terminal to two in order to accommodate heavy traffic due to the growth of the city and keep things moving efficiently (see barcelona airport map). Terminal 1 was built 4 kilometers away from the first terminal and the old terminal became Terminal 2. Today, Terminal 1 operates the majority of the flights while the two terminals together have made flying in and out of Barcelona much easier. Here’s everything you need to know about Terminals 1 and 2 at the Barcelona airport.

 

Most of the traffic at Barcelona Airport is domestic and European, in which Spanair and Vueling have an operational base (see barcelona airport map). However, the number of intercontinental connections is well below other European airports with their level of passenger traffic. The lack of intercontinental connections has been a constant cause of complaint and pressure by the authorities and Catalan groups in recent years, who want the Barcelona airport to become a centre of world air traffic distribution and not just European.

 

A plan for expansion (Plan Barcelona in barcelona airport map) includes a third terminal building (also designed by Ricardo Bofill) and control tower. An additional runway (07R/25L) has also been built. Once these developments are complete in 2009, the Barcelona airport will be capable of handling 55 million passengers annually (compared to 33 million passengers in 2007). The Barcelona airport is slated to expand in area from 8.45 to 15.33 square kilometres (3.26 to 5.92 sq mi) by 2009. A further expansion is planned to be finished by 2012, with a new satellite terminal which will raise the capacity to 70 million passengers annually.