A coalition of youth, environmental and neighbourhood organisations in Ibiza has called for a large demonstration against the planned expansion of Ibiza Airport, with the protest scheduled for Sunday, September 20 at 6 p.m.

The demonstration has been organised by the Associació de Joves d’Eivissa (AJE) with the support of eight social, environmental and neighbourhood organisations. The groups say they want the event to bring together residents from across the island who are concerned about the future of the airport and the wider impact of tourism growth.

The organisers announced the demonstration on September 2 at a press conference held at the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs.

Where Will the Demonstration Take Place?

The protest will begin at s’Alamera on Vara de Rey in Ibiza Town at 6 p.m.

From there, demonstrators are expected to walk along Carrer Aragó, Carrer Balears and Avenida de España before stopping outside the Consell d’Eivissa.

A manifesto will be read there before the march returns to s’Alamera.

The organisers have described the event as a call for broad participation rather than a demonstration limited to environmental organisations or residents living close to the airport.

Who Is Supporting the Protest?

The demonstration is being led by AJE and currently has the support of several organisations representing different parts of Ibiza's civil society.

Among those involved are:

• Institut d'Estudis Eivissencs

• Amics de la Terra

• Salvem sa Badia

• GEN-GOB

• Associació de Veïns de Can Palleu

• Associació de Veïns de Can Frígoles

• Associació de Veïns de sa Caleta

• Associació de Veïns d'es Rafal Trobat

The organisers say additional groups and individuals are continuing to join the initiative.

What Are They Protesting?

The main issue is the airport project being developed by Aena.

According to the organisations behind the demonstration, the plans include increasing the number of boarding gates to 32, expanding the VIP area and creating a dedicated area for flights outside the Schengen zone.

The groups argue that changes of this scale could contribute to greater tourism pressure on Ibiza.

They have linked their concerns to issues including water resources, healthcare, transport, housing and the wider pressure placed on the island's infrastructure.

The organisers also object to the planned occupation of a plot associated with the Parc Natural de ses Salines, describing the potential environmental impact as a major concern.

Aena's Position Is Different

The airport project has become the subject of an increasingly visible debate in Ibiza.

While the protest organisers describe the plans as an expansion that could facilitate greater tourism pressure, Aena's position is that the project is intended to modernise and improve the airport rather than increase its passenger capacity.

Aena's director in Ibiza has recently argued that the works will not increase the airport's passenger capacity, a position that AJE disputes.

This difference in interpretation is at the centre of the current discussion.

The protest organisers say that the planned increase in boarding gates is itself evidence of an expansion, while Aena has presented the project as an infrastructure improvement.

Concerns About Ibiza's Capacity

AJE also points to the airport's existing passenger figures.

According to figures cited by the organisation from Aena, Ibiza Airport handled approximately 9.14 million passengers in 2025, including arrivals and departures.

The group argues that this level of traffic is already putting pressure on an island of less than 600 square kilometres with around 160,000 residents.

The organisers therefore want the debate to focus not only on the airport itself but also on the broader question of how much tourism Ibiza can accommodate.

They say they are not opposed to tourism as an economic activity, but want what they describe as a more balanced tourism model that takes the needs of permanent residents into account.

Housing and the Cost of Living

The airport debate is also being connected by the organisers to Ibiza's housing situation.

AJE says that younger residents increasingly face difficulties finding affordable accommodation and that some young people who leave the island to study later struggle to return because of housing costs.

The group argues that continued growth in tourism needs to be considered alongside these social pressures.

These are the organisers' arguments rather than independently established consequences of the proposed airport works.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental issues are another important part of the campaign.

The organisations involved in the protest are particularly concerned about the relationship between the airport project and the nearby ses Salines natural park.

During the press conference, AJE also raised allegations concerning wastewater from the airport area reaching the surroundings of ses Salines.

The organisation said that, if the reported circumstances are confirmed, it could consider whether legal action is appropriate. These allegations remain claims made by the campaign organisers and should not be treated as established facts without confirmation from the relevant authorities.

A Call for Island-Wide Participation

AJE vice-president Víctor Torres said the purpose of the September 20 demonstration is to encourage people from across Ibiza to participate.

The organisers want the event to represent people who live on the island year-round, rather than only those living in the immediate vicinity of the airport.

They are also presenting the protest as part of a wider conversation about Ibiza's future, including tourism, infrastructure, housing and the environment.

The association has been working with other organisations for more than a year and has recently increased its public activity around tourism and development issues.

Part of a Growing Debate Over Ibiza's Future

The September 20 demonstration follows several other recent actions organised by Ibiza's youth and environmental groups.

In recent weeks, AJE has organised activities including a gathering at Cala Saladeta focused on tourism pressure and the use of public spaces.

The airport has now become another major focus of the group's campaign.

At the same time, the proposed works remain part of a broader discussion involving Aena, local institutions, residents, businesses and environmental organisations.

For Ibiza, the debate goes beyond the physical changes planned at the airport. It raises a larger question about how the island balances connectivity and tourism with infrastructure, environmental protection and the quality of life of its permanent population.

September 20

The demonstration is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 at 6 p.m., beginning at Vara de Rey in Ibiza Town.

The organisers say they hope it will become a major island-wide mobilisation against the airport project.

Whether it reaches the scale they are hoping for will become clearer on the day, but the announcement already demonstrates how strongly the future of Ibiza Airport has become part of the island's wider debate about tourism and development.

Source: Noudiari