The Consell de Ibiza has reiterated its opposition to any expansion of Ibiza Airport that would increase its capacity, following Sunday's demonstration in Ibiza Town against the plans being developed by Aena.

Consell President Vicent Marí met on Monday, September 21, with representatives of several of the organisations and groups that called the September 20 protest. Following the meeting, he said the island supports the investment needed to modernise the airport, improve safety and enhance services, but not an expansion that increases the number of people the infrastructure can accommodate.

Consell Reaffirms Its Position

Marí said the Consell's position is that Ibiza Airport should be modernised without creating additional capacity.

He also called on Aena to provide Ibiza with clear and transparent information about its plans and to involve the island's institutions, residents and social organisations in decisions affecting the airport.

The president said the institution would maintain pressure to defend this position.

Meeting With Groups Behind the Protest

Monday's meeting brought together Marí, First Vice-President Mariano Juan and representatives of Joves d’Eivissa, the Institut d'Estudis Eivissencs, GEN-GOB, Associació Rafal Trobat, Associació Sa Badia, Associació de Veïns de sa Caleta and Amics de la Terra.

The organisations had taken part in Sunday's demonstration against the airport plans.

During the meeting, they called for a common position from institutions and civil society in Ibiza against any increase in airport capacity.

They also raised concerns about existing problems at the airport, including issues involving wastewater and sanitation, and argued that investment should first address current deficiencies.

Aena's Project Is Still in the Development Stage

The airport project is not yet at the main construction stage.

Aena has already put out to tender the project-management services needed to oversee the development, while the contracts for the technical design of the future works are also part of the current process.

The project therefore remains in the planning and design phase rather than being an expansion that is already under construction.

Aena has said that the modernisation is intended to adapt the airport to new European requirements while improving operational processes, safety and passenger services.

What DORA III Says About Ibiza Airport

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the third Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria, or DORA III, on September 15.

The framework applies from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031 and establishes the regulatory and investment framework for Aena's airports during that period.

For Ibiza, the document identifies a strategic investment titled “Adaptation of the terminal building to new regulations”.

The DORA assigns an investment threshold of €38.7 million to that strategic project through the end of 2031, with completion scheduled for December 2035.

More Than €159 Million Detailed in DORA

The detailed DORA investment tables record €159.62 million of programmed investment for Ibiza during the 2027-2031 period.

That total covers several categories, including terminal adaptation, runway and apron works, operational safety, security, information systems, process improvements, access and urbanisation, electrical systems and sustainability.

The largest individual item in the detailed table is the terminal adaptation programme, with €55.25 million programmed across the five-year period.

The figure differs from the €229.7 million investment total previously associated with Aena's proposal for Ibiza. The two figures should not be treated as identical without explaining the difference in their scope and accounting within the wider investment programme.

What Aena Says the Modernisation Will Address

Aena has described the airport project primarily as a modernisation programme required in part by changes to European regulations.

The plans include a new security-control configuration capable of accommodating newer screening equipment, changes to passport control and the separation of Schengen and non-Schengen passenger flows.

Aena has also said the works are intended to improve operational efficiency and the passenger experience.

The airport operator held a meeting with the Consell, municipalities and representatives of economic and social organisations in July to explain the planned project.

Disagreement Over the Meaning of the Project

The current dispute centres partly on how the proposed works should be understood.

The Consell and groups opposing the project describe parts of the planned intervention as an expansion that could facilitate greater airport capacity.

Aena has presented the works as a modernisation and adaptation of the existing infrastructure, linked to European requirements and operational improvements.

The official DORA itself identifies Ibiza's strategic project as an adaptation of the terminal to new regulations rather than using the word “expansion” in the title of that investment.

At the same time, earlier technical documentation prepared for Aena's project contains more extensive changes to the terminal and its surrounding facilities. This is why the scope of the future works has become a point of public debate.

Consell Calls for Greater Airport Co-Governance

Marí also renewed his call for greater participation by the Balearic institutions in decisions affecting Ibiza Airport.

The Consell argues that the airport has a direct effect on the island's territory, infrastructure, resources and residents, and says regional and island authorities should have a greater role in decisions concerning its future.

Aena's airport network is managed at state level, meaning the Consell does not itself control the investment programme established through the national airport regulatory framework.

The September 20 Demonstration

The Consell's latest position follows the demonstration held in Ibiza Town on Sunday, September 20.

The protest was organised by Joves d’Eivissa and supported by a range of environmental, neighbourhood, cultural and social organisations.

Participants called for the airport to remain focused on improving its existing facilities rather than increasing its capacity.

The demonstration has now been followed by the meeting between the Consell and the organisations involved, giving the issue renewed institutional visibility.

What Happens Next

The airport project remains in the design and procurement phase.

Aena has said that its communication channels with the institutions and different island stakeholders remain open, while the Consell is calling for greater transparency and participation.

The DORA III framework is now formally approved and will govern the airport's regulated investment programme from 2027 to 2031.

The central issue for Ibiza will therefore be how the detailed project develops, what works are ultimately approved and constructed, and whether the final configuration is viewed by the different administrations and organisations as modernisation within the existing airport or as an increase in effective capacity.