Roberta Aguirre
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands and the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations. It is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores. The airport has a comfortable lounge, duty-free shopping, and several transport options to and from the airport, including buses, taxis, and car rental services. Gran Canaria Airport has also been recognised for its excellence, implementing an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, which is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gran Canaria Airport |
| IATA Code | LPA |
| Location | Bay of Gando, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
| Runway | 2 |
| Year Opened | 1930 |
| Airlines Operating | Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Vueling, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Nordic, Air Europa, Icelandair |
| Passenger Traffic (Nov 2022) | 17,612,948 |
| Passenger Traffic (Nov 2019) | 18,352,654 |
| Passenger Traffic (2014) | 10.3 million+ |
| Cargo Operations | Leading airport in India for the export of perishables |
| Bus Services | 5, 60, 66, 90, 91 |
| Motorway | GC1 |
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What You'll Learn
Gran Canaria Airport's history
Gran Canaria Airport (IATA: LPA, ICAO: GCLP) is located on the island of Gran Canaria, in the eastern part of the Bay of Gando. The airport, which covers 553 hectares (1,370 acres) of land, is a significant hub within the Spanish air transport network, ranking first in the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain by passenger traffic.
The history of Gran Canaria Airport dates back to 1919 when Frenchman Pierre George Latécoère received permission from the French and Spanish governments to establish an airline route between Toulouse and Casablanca, with stopovers in several Spanish cities. However, the airport itself was not officially opened until April 7, 1930, following a royal decree from King Alfonso XIII, converting military air force installations on the Bay of Gando into a civilian airfield.
In its early years, the airport underwent several improvements. In 1946, a new control tower was constructed, and in 1948, a runway was built, which was fully tarmacked in 1957. Further enhancements were made in 1963, including the enlargement of the terminal, the addition of parking spaces, and the installation of a visual approach slope indicator system. Construction of a new passenger terminal began in 1970 and was completed in March 1973, along with the inauguration of a second runway in 1980, significantly increasing the airport's capacity.
Binter Canarias established its main base at Gran Canaria Airport in 1989, and the terminal was enlarged again in 1991 to accommodate more passengers. In 2010, Ryanair, a low-cost carrier, announced the opening of three new bases on the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria. This was followed by a major renovation programme that began in 2011, aiming to expand the terminal and construct a new runway. The renovation was completed in 2015, doubling the terminal area and significantly enhancing the airport's facilities and capacity.
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Airlines and flights
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA/GCLP) is located 9 miles from the island's city centre. It is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands and the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations. The airport has been in operation since 1930 and has undergone several renovations and expansions since then, with the most recent major renovation completed in 2015.
Gran Canaria Airport is served by various airlines offering direct and indirect flights to and from destinations worldwide. The airport is a base for several airlines, including Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling. These airlines offer regular scheduled and charter flights to different locations.
Binter Canarias offers the most direct flight options, serving 33 cities, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Santa Cruz de La Palma, and Madrid. Ryanair, with its base at the airport, also provides direct flights from 30 cities, such as Madrid, London, Dublin, Marrakesh, and Santiago de Compostela. Other popular airlines with direct flight options include Jet2 (serving 12 cities), easyJet (10 cities), Eurowings (9 cities), and Vueling (8 cities).
When searching for flights to Gran Canaria, it is important to consider factors such as price, convenience, flexibility, and booking terms. The best airline for your trip will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It is worth checking the websites of the mentioned airlines and online travel agencies for the latest information on flight schedules and prices. Additionally, keep in mind that peak travel seasons in Gran Canaria are during summer (July-August) and winter (December-January).
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Transport to and from the airport
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is located 25 km from the tourist area of Gran Canaria (the south zone) and 18 km from the capital, Las Palmas. The island's main motorway, GC1, runs past the airport, providing transport links to Las Palmas in the north and the tourist resorts in the south.
By Taxi
Taxis are available at the airport. They are off-white cars with a blue stripe on the sides of each front door, the letters SP (meaning Servicio Público), and a green light on top or in the front windscreen (indicating that the taxi is empty). This is the quickest but most expensive option, and costs vary according to your final destination. The trip to Las Palmas costs around €30, with a surcharge for overnight trips between 22:00 and 06:00.
By Bus
There are frequent bus services between the airport and most of the resorts on the island. The bus stop at the airport is at Ebene 1, Departures. Single fares are $2.73 (€2.30). The journey to Las Palmas takes around 35 minutes, while a bus ride to Playa del Inglés in the south will take around half an hour. Buses run every 20 minutes, approximately from 05:25 to 02:45 on weekdays and 05:30 to 02:45 on weekends and holidays.
By Car
If you prefer to have your own vehicle, car rental prices on the Canary Islands are considerably lower than on the Spanish mainland.
By Transfer
Several companies offer transfers from the airport. Mozio, for example, offers transfers starting at $29 when pre-booked.
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Airport facilities
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands and the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations. The airport, which opened in 1930, has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic. In 2014, it handled over 10.3 million passengers, ranking first in the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain by passenger traffic.
Gran Canaria Airport has two terminals, with Area 1 serving all arrivals of flights originating within Spain and Area 2 serving international arrivals. The airport has car parking spaces, with a large coach park (Parking A) located in front of Area 2 for tourist flights and coaches. Overflow coach parking is provided at the departures level (Parking B) during the winter months and can be accessed from Area 2 via a pedestrian tunnel.
The airport has a variety of shops and restaurants, including duty-free shopping areas. It also offers car rental services, with additional counters in Area 1 due to its distance from the main car rental area. The airport provides special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair assistance and help with boarding and disembarking.
Gran Canaria Airport is easily accessible by road, with several island roads connecting it to different parts of the island. Bus services are provided by Global, with routes 5, 60, 66, 90, and 91 serving the airport. Taxi services are also available. Additionally, the main motorway GC1 runs past the airport, providing transport links to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north and tourist resorts in the south.
While there are plans to construct a rail link connecting the airport to Las Palmas and Maspalomas, the Tren de Gran Canaria scheme has faced funding challenges. The airport is also home to the Gando Air Base, an important airbase for the Spanish Air and Space Force, located to the east of the runways.
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Airport awards
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands and the largest in terms of passenger and cargo operations. The airport has won several awards and accolades over the years, including:
- The Gold Medal Award 2014: While the specifics of this award are unclear, it likely recognizes the airport's overall excellence in operations, customer service, or contributions to the tourism industry.
- Best Network Expansion Prize - 2009: This award acknowledges the successful expansion of the airport's network, including new routes, destinations, or improvements in connectivity.
- Canary Islands Prize for Excellence in Tourism - 2008: This award highlights the airport's role in promoting tourism in the Canary Islands and its positive impact on the local economy.
- "Island of Lanzarote" Prize for Tourism - 2007: This award specifically recognizes the airport's contribution to the tourism industry on the Island of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria Airport has also been recognized for its efficiency, sustainability, and welcoming atmosphere. It has implemented innovative solutions, such as Aena's Oli chatbot, which provides real-time information and assistance to passengers in multiple languages. The airport is conveniently located in the Bay of Gando on the eastern coast of the island, offering easy access to the main holiday areas in the south and the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
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Frequently asked questions
The IATA code for Gran Canaria Airport is LPA.
Airlines that operate from Gran Canaria Airport include Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Vueling.
Bus services are provided by Global with their routes 5, 60, 66, 90 and 91. There are also special bus services from most towns in Gran Canaria, and taxis are available. Car hire is also an option, with rental offices within the terminal building.
Gran Canaria Airport has a VIP lounge, duty-free shopping, and disability assistance. The airport has implemented an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, which is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited.
