Gran Canaria Airport: Size, Scope, And Scale

Gran Canaria Airport, located on the island of Gran Canaria, is a significant hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles. Covering 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land, it is the largest airport serving the Canary Islands and ranks first in terms of passenger and cargo operations within the islands. The airport, located 25 km from the popular tourist areas in the south, is an important gateway for the millions of tourists visiting Gran Canaria annually.

Gran Canaria Airport covers 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land

Gran Canaria Airport is a significant airport within the Spanish air transport network, ranking sixth in passenger numbers and fifth in operations and cargo transported. The airport is owned and managed by the public enterprise AENA and has been operational since 1930. It features two 3,100-metre runways and a terminal that underwent a major renovation in 2015, doubling its previous area.

The airport is known for its excellent operating conditions, remaining open 24 hours a day, all year round, thanks to its favourable weather conditions. This reliability makes it attractive to airline companies, ensuring uninterrupted operations. The airport also boasts a high standard of excellence, implementing an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System accredited by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Gran Canaria Airport has a range of facilities to enhance the traveller experience. It offers a comfortable lounge, duty-free shopping, and various transport options for departing passengers, including bus services, airport transfers, and car rental. The airport also prioritises safety and efficiency, with specific prohibited behaviours in place to ensure a positive experience for all users.

It is located 25 km from tourist areas in the south

Gran Canaria Airport is located 25 km from the popular tourist areas in the south of the island. The airport is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands, serving as the main entry point for the millions of tourists who visit Gran Canaria every year. It is also the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations, ranking first among the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain by passenger traffic. In 2014, the airport handled over 10.3 million passengers.

The airport is located on the coast of the island of Gran Canaria, in the Bay of Gando, 19 km south of the island's capital, Las Palmas. The facility covers 553 hectares of land and contains two 3,100-metre runways. It is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa, including Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, as well as to the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores.

Gran Canaria Airport is served by over 35 airlines from across Europe, including low-cost carriers and charter airlines. Ryanair, BinterCanarias, and TUIfly are major operators at the airport, with Ryanair alone operating 30 routes from Gran Canaria. The airport is also a base for other airlines such as Canaryfly, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling.

In terms of transport options, the airport is accessible by bus, airport transfer, or car rental. The journey from the airport to the popular tourist areas in the south of the island can take between 30 and 60 minutes by car, depending on traffic. There are also plans to construct a rail link connecting the airport to Las Palmas and Maspalomas, although as of 2018, the project was estimated to be underfunded by €1,500 million.

It is one of the biggest gateways to the Canary Islands

Gran Canaria Airport is indeed one of the biggest gateways to the Canary Islands. Located on the coast of the island it takes its name from, the airport is the largest serving the Canary Islands and is a major tourist destination off the southwest coast of Spain. In 2014, it handled over 10.3 million passengers, ranking first in the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain by passenger traffic. The airport is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa (Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde, and more) and to the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores. It is served by over 35 airlines from across Europe and is one of Spain's largest airports.

The airport covers 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land and contains two 3,100-metre runways. It is located in the eastern part of Gran Canaria on the Bay of Gando, 19 kilometres south of Las Palmas and 25 kilometres from the popular tourist areas in the south. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with several bus services regularly operating in the major districts. Car hire is also a cheap and independent way to travel on the island, with rental offices located within the terminal building.

Gran Canaria Airport has a high standard of excellence and has implemented an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, which is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited. The airport is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, thanks to its ideal weather conditions. This provides a guarantee for airline companies, allowing them to carry out their operations without problems arising from adverse weather. The airport also offers a comfortable lounge, duty-free shopping, and a range of resorts within a 30-45 minute drive.

In addition to its civilian operations, there is an airbase of the Spanish Air and Space Force to the east of the runways. The Gando Air Base is one of the biggest and most important air bases of the Spanish Air and Space Force, harbouring the Ala 46 with F/A-18 Hornets, CASA 212, and the Eurocopter AS 532 of SAR. The Ala 46 or 46 Wing defends the Spanish airspace around the Canary Islands.

The airport has a positive environmental impact

Covering 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land, Gran Canaria Airport is an important airport within the Spanish air transport network. It is the sixth-largest airport in Spain in terms of passenger traffic and the fifth-largest in terms of operations and cargo transported.

Gran Canaria Airport maintains a high standard of excellence and has implemented an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, which is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited. This system helps to ensure that the airport has a positive environmental impact by minimising negative effects and promoting sustainability.

The airport has taken several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. For example, it has introduced the Oli chatbot, available in eight languages, to provide real-time information and guide users through the facilities, improving efficiency and reducing potential confusion or delays. Additionally, the airport offers a range of sustainable transport options for travellers, including bus services, airport transfers, and electric car rentals within the terminal building, encouraging the use of environmentally-friendly transportation.

Furthermore, Gran Canaria Airport is committed to enhancing the efficiency of its operations. It has worked to improve the efficiency of aircraft taxiing operations, which can have a significant environmental impact by reducing airport capacity and increasing fuel consumption and emissions. By optimising taxiing procedures, the airport can minimise these negative effects and improve overall efficiency, contributing to a more positive environmental impact.

The airport also serves as an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles, facilitating connections to regions that may not otherwise have as convenient travel options. This role as a transportation gateway can have a positive environmental impact by centralising travel routes and reducing the need for less efficient, more carbon-intensive travel alternatives.

It is a hub for passengers travelling to West Africa

Gran Canaria Airport (IATA: LPA, ICAO: GCLP) is a passenger and freight airport on the island of Gran Canaria. Covering 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land, it is the largest airport in the Canary Islands in terms of passenger and cargo operations. It is located in the eastern part of Gran Canaria on the Bay of Gando (Bahía de Gando), 19 kilometres (12 miles) south of Las Palmas and 25 kilometres (16 miles) from popular tourist areas in the south.

Gran Canaria Airport is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa (Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde, and more). It also serves as a connection to the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores. The airport is a base for several airlines, including Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling. Other airlines, such as TUI fly Deutschland and TUI fly Nordic, use the airport as a base for operating charter flights to Cape Verde and Gambia during the winter months.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1919 when Frenchman Pierre George Latécoère established an airline route between Toulouse and Casablanca with stopovers in several Spanish cities. It officially opened as a civilian airfield in 1930, following a royal order from King Alfonso XIII. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansions and improvements, including the construction of new runways, enlargement of the terminal, and the addition of new facilities.

Gran Canaria Airport offers a range of services and amenities for travellers, including duty-free shopping, lounges, and disability assistance. The airport has implemented an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, accredited by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, ensuring a high standard of excellence. It also provides real-time information on flights and services through Aena's Oli chatbot, available in multiple languages.

With its convenient location, efficient operations, and focus on passenger experience, Gran Canaria Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to West Africa and enhancing the connectivity of the Canary Islands.

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