The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has reportedly cited Córdoba Airport as a prime example of exactly how EU air infrastructure funds should not be spent and is a great model of how investment decisions should not be taken.
Passenger numbers at Córdoba airport decreased by 70% between 2007 and 2013 and the facility currently only handles private and government air traffic. However, despite this decline in traffic and also despite the close proximity of Málaga and Sevilla airports (the fifth and 11th busiest in Spain) the Spanish government apparently decided in 2008 to expand the runway.
This was, reportedly, without analysis relating to necessity, potential growth studies, cost‑benefit analysis or justification. In other words, it made no sense and there was no technical reason for it.
Between 2000 and 2013 Spain received just under €700 million, a quarter of the entire amount destined for European airport infrastructure projects.
The auditors are reported as saying that Spain has been one of the states that has most wasted European funds on airports.
Seven other unprofitable airports were criticised in the report for unnecessary expansion work using EU funds, these being Badajoz, Burgos, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Madrid-Barajas, Murcia and Vigo. Of these, however, Madrid, Fuerteventura and Murcia were apparently likely to become profitable within a few years.