Thousands of people took to the streets of Ibiza Town on Sunday, September 20, to protest against Aena's planned remodelling of Ibiza Airport and call for greater limits on tourism growth.

The demonstration was organised by the Associació de Joves d’Eivissa and supported by around 50 organisations, including environmental groups, trade unions, neighbourhood associations and other local organisations.

Protest Begins in Ibiza Town

The march began shortly after 18:00 at the Passeig de Vara de Rey before passing through the centre of Ibiza Town.

Participants then continued towards the Parque de la Paz, where representatives of the organising group read a joint manifesto outlining their objections to the airport project and their wider concerns about tourism pressure on the island.

The demonstration included families, younger residents and older participants, as well as representatives of the organisations supporting the call.

Different Attendance Estimates

There was no single agreed attendance figure.

EFE reported around 2,500 participants, while the Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands gave an estimate of approximately 5,000. The organisers put attendance at between 5,000 and 10,000 people.

For that reason, the demonstration can be described as involving thousands of people without presenting one estimate as definitive.

What Protesters Are Calling For

The organisations behind the demonstration are opposing Aena's airport project and arguing that Ibiza is already under significant pressure from tourism and population growth.

Their concerns include housing, water resources, public services, environmental pressure and the effect that improved airport infrastructure could have on future visitor numbers.

The joint manifesto also called for connectivity policies that prioritise the needs of residents rather than facilitating further growth in mass tourism.

These are the positions expressed by the organisations supporting the protest.

Aena Describes the Project as a Remodelling

Aena's description of the project differs from the terminology used by its opponents.

The airport operator says the works are aimed primarily at adapting Ibiza Airport to new European security and border-control requirements, improving operational processes and upgrading passenger facilities.

The project includes a complete renovation of the boarding area and the separation of Schengen and non-Schengen passenger flows.

Boarding Gates to Increase From 17 to 32

One of the most visible changes will be the number of boarding gates.

The current terminal has 17 gates, while the planned project provides for 32.

Aena says the increase is required partly because Schengen and non-Schengen gates can no longer be used as flexibly under the new border-control requirements. The additional space is therefore intended to allow the different passenger flows to be handled separately.

The project also includes eight new boarding bridges.

Aena says these could raise the proportion of flights receiving direct passenger access between the terminal and aircraft from around 25% during the high season to approximately 75% of operations.

Aena Says Airport Capacity Will Not Increase

A central point in the dispute is what the project means by “capacity”.

Aena says none of the planned works will increase the number of take-offs and landings that Ibiza Airport can currently handle per hour because the capacity of the airfield itself is not being increased.

The company has therefore presented the project as a terminal remodelling rather than an increase in runway or airfield capacity.

Opponents argue that a larger and more modern terminal can nevertheless facilitate tourism growth by improving the airport's ability to handle passengers. That is an argument made by the campaign groups rather than an established future outcome.

Project Investment

The planned investment associated with the Ibiza Airport project is approximately €229.7 million within the DORA III 2027-2031 investment programme.

Earlier reports had used a figure of around €200 million, but the more detailed project documentation puts the investment at approximately €229.7 million.

This figure refers to the planned investment rather than expenditure already completed.

Project Includes Major Terminal Changes

The works go beyond changes to boarding gates.

The planned remodelling includes a new centralised passport-control system, a dedicated pier for non-Schengen traffic and new security-screening technology requiring additional space.

Aena also plans improvements to passenger facilities, including toilets, waiting areas, children's areas, facilities for passengers with reduced mobility and commercial areas.

The project also involves changes around the aircraft-support area and other airport infrastructure as part of the wider development.

Why the Protest Took Place Now

The demonstration came shortly after Spain's airport regulator framework for 2027-2031 was approved.

The DORA III programme includes major investment across the Aena network, with Ibiza among the airports receiving significant terminal investment. The CNMC's review identifies the Ibiza project as an investment intended to adapt the terminal to new regulations and manage the growth of non-Schengen traffic while maintaining operational flexibility.

The timing has intensified the debate on the island over how airport infrastructure should develop alongside tourism policy.

Consell Has Previously Raised Concerns

Ibiza's island government has previously raised concerns about any airport changes that could result in increased tourist pressure.

Following a July meeting with Aena, the Consell d’Eivissa said the airport improvements should focus on facilities and passenger experience and should not translate into an increase in operational capacity or greater tourist arrivals during the high season.

Aena subsequently reiterated that the project would not increase the number of take-offs and landings per hour.

Support Across Different Organisations

The September 20 demonstration brought together organisations from several parts of Ibiza's civic landscape.

Support came from environmental organisations, unions, neighbourhood associations and cultural groups, alongside political representatives.

The presence of political figures at the demonstration does not mean that the protest was organised by a political party. The formal call was made by the Associació de Joves d’Eivissa.

Tourism Growth at the Centre of the Debate

The airport dispute forms part of a larger discussion about Ibiza's tourism model.

Protesters argue that the island's housing market, infrastructure and natural resources are already under pressure and that improving airport facilities could make those pressures greater.

Aena's stated position is focused on infrastructure, security and passenger-service requirements, and it says that the project does not increase airfield operating capacity.

The two positions therefore focus on different questions: the protesters are concerned about the wider consequences of improved airport connectivity, while Aena emphasises the technical and regulatory reasons for the terminal works.

What Happens Next

The airport project remains in the planning and development phase.

Aena's current timetable places execution within the DORA III period, with the strategic investment associated with Ibiza scheduled for completion in 2035.

The September 20 demonstration has added substantial public opposition to the project, but it does not itself change the project's administrative status.

The debate is now focused on how the planned investment, airport infrastructure and wider tourism policy should be managed as Ibiza continues to deal with pressure on housing, transport and natural resources.

Ibiza Airport Project at a Glance

Airport: Ibiza Airport, es Codolar
Project: Terminal remodelling and associated infrastructure works
Planned investment: Approximately €229.7 million
Current boarding gates: 17
Planned boarding gates: 32
New boarding bridges: 8
Take-offs and landings: Aena says hourly airfield capacity will not increase
Regulatory framework: DORA III, 2027-2031
Strategic completion date: 2035
September 20 protest organiser: Associació de Joves d’Eivissa
Attendance estimates: Approximately 2,500 reported by EFE, 5,000 by the Government Delegation and 5,000-10,000 by organisers

The demonstration marked another significant public mobilisation around the future of Ibiza Airport, with the dispute now centred not only on the design of the terminal but also on the wider question of how the island manages tourism and connectivity.