Barcelona Airport Rail: Alstom, FGC, Coradia Stream Debut

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Introduction

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) has officially presented the first of ten Coradia Stream EMUs that will connect Barcelona city center with El Prat Airport. These trains, operated by FGC Mobilitat, are scheduled to begin service between late 2026 and early 2027.

Project Presentation

The official presentation was attended by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa; the Catalan Minister for Territory, Sílvia Paneque i Sureda; the President of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), Carles Ruiz Novella; and the President of Alstom Spain and Portugal, Leopoldo Maestu Miedes.

Route and Service Details

The new trains will link the city center with both terminals of Barcelona-El Prat Airport, operating every 15 minutes, with a journey time of just over 20 minutes. The new line, currently under construction, will span 22.7 km and include nine stations: Sant Andreu, Sagrera, El Clot, Passeig de Gràcia, Sants, Bellvitge, El Prat, Airport T-2, and Airport T-1.

Technical Specifications and Testing

Static and dynamic tests are currently being carried out at Alstom’s industrial site in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda. The validation tests required for certification, which will take place on the general interest railway network, will include traction, braking, dynamic behavior, signaling, and telecommunications, among other checks.

The new ten Coradia Stream EMUs, developed and manufactured at Alstom’s industrial site in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona), are designed for rapid connections between Barcelona and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Each five-car Coradia Stream train will feature 10 doors on each side with 20 in total, with 202 seats of which 197 fixed, 7 folding and 2 PMR, accommodating up to 656 passengers in total. In addition to audible signals for door operations, a lighting system – green for opening and red for closing – will assist hearing-impaired passengers in identifying these actions. Each train will be equipped with 20 panoramic screens displaying service information (four per car) and nine panoramic screens for airport information, providing data on flight departures and arrivals. For passengers on the platforms, the trains will be equipped with 12 exterior LED screens: two front screens (located at the top of each car) and 10 side screens. The trains will be fully accessible, with step-free access from the platform and an automatic ramp at the doors near the reduced mobility area. Each train will include two reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility, adapted toilets, and two multifunctional spaces for bicycles, trolleys, etc. The PRM area will be located in the second car, which will also house an accessible toilet with an electrically operated door.

Sustainability and Maintenance

In line with Alstom’s strategy and FGC’s commitment to promoting sustainable mobility, the new trains have been developed using eco-design principles: careful selection of raw materials, traction systems, energy efficiency, and recyclability at the end of their life. Last April, construction began on Alstom’s new depot, located on the same site as the Santa Perpètua de Mogoda factory, which will handle the maintenance of the trains for 15 years. Spanning 3,500 m², it will feature two maintenance tracks, auxiliary workshops, a warehouse, workers’ quarters, and project offices. The facility will also include an auxiliary services workshop and a rail connection to the Adif railway network.

Conclusion

The first of ten Coradia Stream EMUs, designed to connect Barcelona city center with El Prat Airport, have been presented by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC). The trains are scheduled to begin service between late 2026 and early 2027 and will operate every 15 minutes, with a journey time of just over 20 minutes. Static and dynamic tests are currently being carried out at Alstom’s industrial site in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda. The new trains have been developed using eco-design principles, with a new depot for maintenance.

Company Summary

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC): The operator of the new trains, FGC Mobilitat, which will connect Barcelona city center with El Prat Airport.

Alstom Spain and Portugal: The company that developed and manufactured the new ten Coradia Stream EMUs at its industrial site in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona).

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