#attachment_caption

Aena has approved a full-scale renovation of the food and beverage offer at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, marking one of the most ambitious catering redevelopments undertaken at a Spanish airport to date.

The project will see 48 restaurant and food court units refurbished and relaunched across a total area of 20,500 square metres. The tender process attracted strong interest from across the sector, with 84 bids submitted by 16 local, national and international brands. All units have now been awarded, underlining the commercial appeal of Barcelona-El Prat as a food and beverage destination.

Nine operators secured contracts: Areas, Pansfood, WDFG, SSP, Eurest, Lagardère, Enrique Tomás, Five Guys and Good News. Most agreements will run for eight years, with selected flagship locations extending to ten or twelve years, giving operators the confidence to invest in differentiated concepts and long-term brand building.

Food and beverage continues to play an increasingly strategic role in the passenger experience, and the new line-up reflects a deliberate effort to balance scale with diversity. The renovation introduces 15 new brands and welcomes three operators not previously present at the airport, including Eurest, Five Guys and Good News, significantly expanding the culinary mix.

The new offer will range from global quick-service brands to local Barcelona favourites and premium dining concepts. Alongside established international names such as Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell and Pret A Manger, passengers will see an expanded presence of local and specialist operators, including Boldú, Morro Fi, Bar Bocata and Demasié. Specialty and lifestyle-driven concepts such as gluten-free dining, artisan bakeries and specialty coffee will also feature more prominently.

At the premium end, Michelin-starred chefs the Torres Brothers will continue to anchor the airport’s signature dining with Alas, operated by SSP, while introducing a new healthy concept, Terra, further reinforcing Barcelona-El Prat’s culinary positioning.

Beyond experience, the redevelopment also strengthens the airport’s commercial performance. Guaranteed Minimum Annual Income from the new contracts increases by 26% compared to the previous tender, with rises of more than 30% versus current agreements starting in 2026 and 2028.

“The response of local, national and international brands to the project, which we have named ‘Muerde Barcelona’, has been excellent, both in terms of the quality of the technical bids and the increase in income,” said María José Cuenda, General Director for Commercial and Real Estate, Aena. “This catering renovation is one of the cornerstones of Aena’s commercial strategy in Barcelona and reinforces the airport’s positioning as a hub, with a diverse and innovative culinary proposal in line with the standards of the main European airports.”

With construction now underway, the redevelopment signals a clear intent from Aena to position Barcelona-El Prat not just as a transport hub, but as a destination where food and beverage plays a central role in shaping the passenger journey.

READ NEXT: Aena Group reports strong year-on-year commercial and passenger growth

READ NEXT: Henkell Freixenet and Avolta bring festive sparkle to Barcelona Airport

READ NEXT: First SIS for Chupa Chups opens at BCN with Avolta