The Official State Gazette (BOE) has published the order detailing the reasons why Granada will not host the new headquarters of the Spanish Public Health Agency. Among the eight candidate cities, Zaragoza and Granada presented the strongest bids, but air and rail connections tipped the balance in favor of the Aragonese capital.
The official report indicates that Granada's connections to priority destinations rely mainly on the Malaga hub, necessitating a prior road journey of approximately 130 kilometers. Currently, the city has only two direct international links: Paris and Amsterdam, awaiting the restoration of the connection to Nantes and the launch of flights to Oporto and London by year-end.
The Granada Confederation of Employers has publicly advocated for a specific infrastructure: a rapid connection between Granada and Malaga airport, described by its president, Gerardo Cuerva, as a solution to a «deficit that makes us lose opportunities».
Regarding rail connections, Zaragoza also fares better. The city boasts over thirty high-speed trains (AVE) daily, directly linking to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. In contrast, Granada's AVE connection to Madrid is hampered by ongoing works and reduced speed on the Loja section, extending the journey to over three hours, with only eight daily direct links to the capital and one to Barcelona.
Demands for rail infrastructure in Granada are constant, including the Coastal Train and the recovery of the Guadix-Baza-Lorca line. The Granada City Council, through a motion by the PP party, has urged the Spanish Government for urgent improvements in connections, warning of the «disadvantaged situation» the city faces and the need for competitiveness to attract investment and employment.
Despite infrastructure deficiencies, Granada's bid was well-received in other aspects, such as its hotel services and the commitment of public administrations. However, Zaragoza also excelled in these areas and, additionally, received the highest score for «sustainable mobility measures», earning 15 points compared to Granada's 12.
