Aena sets 51% solar target for Spain’s 46 airports

Solar panels are set to provide 51% of the energy used across Aena’s 46 Spanish airports by 2029. The airport operator’s chief executive, Maurici Lucena, announced the target during a visit to the photovoltaic park at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid on 2 September 2026. He said the share would keep rising despite what he called “technical-bureaucratic obstacles” to building such projects.

Carbon-neutral target this year

Aena says it cut its emissions by 75% in 2025 compared with 2019. Lucena said the company expects to reach carbon neutrality this year.

The operator then aims to reach “net zero” in 2030 across its 46 Spanish airports. In practical terms, Lucena said, that means Aena would no longer need offsets to ensure the airports produce no net emissions. The target is 20 years ahead of the aviation sector’s 2050 goal.

Pressure on airlines comes next

Once those targets are reached, Aena plans to turn to measures at airports designed to encourage airlines to reduce their carbon footprint. The company calls these measures “Scope 3”.

Lucena described airports as a key player in cutting aviation emissions. He said air transport accounts for between 2% and 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

Topics: Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com