Best Airports For Canary Islands Getaways

The Canary Islands, Spain, are served by several airports, including Tenerife North (TFN), Tenerife South (TFS), Fuerteventura (FUE), Gran Canaria (LPA), and Lanzarote. Each island has one airport, except for Tenerife, which has two. Gran Canaria Airport, located on the Bay of Gando, is the largest gateway to the Canary Islands and an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles. Tenerife's two airports provide access to the other islands, such as El Hierro and La Gomera, via internal flights or ferry rides. Ryanair, Monarch, Jet2, and EasyJet are among the low-cost airlines offering flights to the Canary Islands from various European destinations.

Canary Islands Airports

Gran Canaria Airport

The airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation over the years. In 1963, improvements were made, including the addition of new parking spaces and the enlargement of the terminal. A new control tower was completed in 1966, and construction of the current passenger terminal began in 1970, opening in March 1973. A second runway was completed in 1980, and the terminal was enlarged again in 1991 to accommodate more passengers. In 2011, a major expansion programme was initiated, leading to the extension of the terminal, the creation of a new runway, and various other improvements. The renovation was completed in 2015, resulting in a significant increase in the airport's capacity.

Tenerife North Airport

In 1978, Tenerife South Airport was inaugurated due to the frequent foggy conditions at Tenerife North, which impacted flight safety. However, Tenerife North Airport remained operational and underwent significant developments over the years. In 2002, a new terminal was opened, including a car park, motorway access ramps, and a four-story terminal building, allowing the airport to reopen to international traffic. An inter-island domestic area was added in 2005.

Today, Tenerife North Airport continues to serve as a convenient and well-connected airport for passengers travelling to and from the Canary Islands. It offers modern facilities, efficient services, and a positive overall experience for travellers, earning its reputation as a hidden gem among airports.

Tenerife South Airport

Transport options at the airport include the public bus service TITSA, which offers connections to all parts of the island, including Tenerife North Airport. Several car rental companies authorized by AENA are also available at the airport, located in the arrivals halls for both domestic and international flights.

To enhance the passenger experience, the airport has implemented Aena's Oli chatbot, available in eight languages. The chatbot provides real-time information on flights and services and guides users through the facilities using AenaMaps. The airport terminal is closed to the public between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. when there are no flights scheduled, with access restricted to staff and passengers with upcoming departures.

Lanzarote Military Airfield

The Canary Islands, Spain, are served by several airports, including Gran Canaria Airport, Lanzarote Airport, and Tenerife South Airport.

The Lanzarote Military Airfield, or Aeródromo Militar de Lanzarote, is a military installation located on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. It is a significant military base for the Spanish Armed Forces, specifically the Air Force, and plays a crucial role in Spain's military operations in the region.

The airfield serves as a deployment base for the Gando Air Base, which is located on Gran Canaria Island. While the Lanzarote Military Airfield does not have any permanently based military aircraft of its own, it houses permanent Air Force troops platoons and radar for air defence, covering the Eastern Canary Islands and the maritime area up to the Sahara.

In recent years, the Lanzarote Military Airfield has also become a drone base, hosting Reaper military drones owned by the Spanish Air Force. These drones, purchased by Spain in 2019, are used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and missile capabilities in the Canaries and the Sahel region of Africa. The Reaper drones are remotely operated by a three-man team and have a 27-hour operating capacity, allowing for a wide range of operations.

The Lanzarote Military Airfield is an essential strategic asset for Spain, enabling the country to conduct military operations, gather intelligence, and maintain a military presence in the Canary Islands and the surrounding regions. It exemplifies the country's commitment to utilizing advanced technology and maintaining a robust military presence to address its defence priorities.

Fuerteventura Airport

El Matorral Airport officially commenced operations on September 14, 1969, and inaugurated its first flights to European destinations in 1973. The airline Condor established a direct connection between Düsseldorf, Germany, and Puerto del Rosario.

The airport boasts an exhibition in the arrivals terminal, curated by the island council department of Tourism, Blue Economy, and Biosphere Reserve. This exhibition features life-size inflatable replicas of the cetacean species found along the Canarian coasts and is accessible until April 15.

While the island offers vast spaces and beautiful attractions with minimal crowds, the airport has been noted to have long queues at car rental companies during certain months.

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