The planned expansion, which was expected to boost the local economy and increase the number of passengers from 53 to 70 million a year, was seen as a potential threat to La Ricarda lagoon, a natural reserve located south of Barcelona.

While the Spanish government insists that the expansion project abides by EU environmental regulations, the Transport minister, Raquel Sánchez, held a press conference on Wednesday to explain that the expansion plan was being withdrawn due to the lack of support from Catalan authorities.

“Moving forward with a project of such magnitude is impossible without full support from the Catalan government” said Spain’s Transport minister, Raquel Sánchez, on Wednesday. “Great projects require great consensus at the institutional level.”

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