European cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Mallorca are implementing measures to combat overtourism, including day-tripper fees, tourist taxes, and short-term rental bans. Yet simultaneously, their airports are undergoing massive expansions. Venice's Marco Polo Airport aims to serve 20 million passengers annually, up from 11.6 million. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is adding a 592,000-square-foot boarding area, and Athens International plans to boost capacity from 26 million to 40 million passengers. Barcelona's El Prat Airport expansion has sparked protests scheduled for Sept. 20.

This paradox stems from competing governance structures. National governments control airports and view them as vital revenue sources, while municipal authorities manage housing and sanitation impacts. As Alex Chapman of the New Economics Foundation noted, "It definitely is a contradiction." Local officials like Tolo Deyá at the University of the Balearic Islands explain they can only limit accommodations or impose taxes, whereas flight control rests with central governments.

The Dutch government attempted to cap Schiphol flights at 478,000 annually, but courts overturned it. A new proposal allowing gradual increases to 500,000 flights received preliminary approval Sept. 9. Airport operators argue expansions modernize infrastructure for growing passenger volumes — Schiphol handled 70 million passengers last year versus 42 million two decades ago — rather than increase flight numbers.