European Airports Expand Toward 40 Million Passengers as Cities Battle Overtourism
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 18
European Airports Expand Toward 40 Million Passengers as Cities Battle Overtourism
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 18
Summary
Venice, Amsterdam, Athens and Barcelona are pushing ahead with airport expansions even as their cities impose tourist fees, rental curbs and other measures to limit visitor pressure.
Growing travel demand is driving the projects: Venice’s Marco Polo aims for 20 million annual passengers from 11.6 million, while Athens International plans to lift capacity to 40 million from 26 million.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol is adding a 592,000-square-foot boarding gate area due next year, and Barcelona’s El Prat expansion has already triggered a protest planned for Sept. 20.
The contradiction reflects split authority across Europe: national governments typically control airports, while municipal and regional officials bear the housing, sanitation and social strains of overtourism.