Jazmin Li
The Canary Islands are a popular tourist destination, and each of the islands, except Tenerife, is served by its own airport. Tenerife has two airports, one in the north and one in the south. Gran Canaria Airport, for example, is a major hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles. It is also a base for several airlines, including Ryanair, which has three bases in the Canary Islands. The airport has undergone major renovations in recent years, including the expansion of the terminal and the addition of a new runway.
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What You'll Learn
Airports in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma are all part of the Canary Islands, located off the western coast of Africa. Each of these islands has its own airport, playing a crucial role in connecting the Canary Islands to the rest of the world. Here is some detailed information about the airports on these five islands:
Tenerife
Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South Airport, also known as Reina Sofía Airport, and Tenerife North Airport, or Los Rodeos. Tenerife South Airport is the island's most modern and busiest airport, serving both national and international flights. On the other hand, Tenerife North Airport, located in La Laguna, caters to flights from other Canary Islands and operates regular national and international flights as well.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria Airport, located near the Bay of Gando, is a significant aviation hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles. It serves as a base for several airlines, including Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, and Norwegian Air Shuttle. The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new runways and the enlargement of terminals to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote Airport, officially named after local artist César Manrique, features two passenger terminals. The original terminal, Terminal 2, now handles inter-island flights, while Terminal 1, opened in 1999, caters to international and domestic flights. The airport is well-connected to the island's road network, with four bus lines facilitating transport to and from the airport.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura Airport, also known as El Matorral Airport, is located 5 kilometres southwest of the island's capital, Puerto del Rosario. It is the main airport serving the island of Fuerteventura. The airport has a single runway and a modern terminal building equipped with various facilities. Several airlines operate regular flights to and from Fuerteventura Airport, connecting the island to other parts of Europe.
La Palma
La Palma Airport, operated by Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA), is situated in Breña Baja and Villa de Mazo, about 8 kilometres south of the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma. The airport is served primarily by Binter Canarias and CanaryFly, offering island-hopping flights within the Canary Islands and charter flights to mainland Europe. La Palma Airport has a modern terminal with enhanced facilities, including an expanded apron area, check-in desks, baggage carousels, and boarding gates.
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Airlines connecting Europe to the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have some of the best air connections in Europe, with direct flights to over 140 European destinations. The archipelago has eight airports connecting all the islands, except for La Graciosa, which can only be reached by ferry. The islands also have direct international flights or connections via top airlines, with daily or weekly flight frequencies.
There are several airlines connecting Europe to the Canary Islands. Some of the notable ones include Ryanair, which has three bases in the Canary Islands: Tenerife South, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria. Ryanair also serves two more airports: Tenerife North and Fuerteventura Airport. In addition to these, Ryanair operates 30 routes from Gran Canaria. Other low-cost airlines that fly to the Canary Islands from all over Europe include Monarch, Jet2, and EasyJet, with most return journeys costing less than €200 per person.
For those travelling from the UK, British Airways, Thomson, Flythomascook, and Norwegian offer flights to the Canary Islands from various airports, including London, Manchester, Bristol, and Newcastle. Travellers are not limited to UK airports, however, as flights to the Canary Islands are available from several other European countries, including Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Slovenia, Norway, Portugal, and even Morocco.
Some of the airlines connecting Europe to the Canary Islands from these countries include Aer Lingus, Iberia, KLM, Vueling, Swiss, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Finnair, Austrian Airlines, Luxair, and Germanwings. Vueling, for example, offers a non-stop flight from La Palma to Barcelona, which is a convenient option for those travelling between the two destinations.
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Transport links to and from Gran Canaria Airport
Gran Canaria Airport is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa (Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde, and more) and the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores. It is also a base for several airlines, including Binter Canarias, Canaryfly, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Vueling. The airport is easily accessible via several transport links, including car hire, taxi transfers, and bus services.
Car Hire
Car rental companies are located near the national/international arrivals hall at Gran Canaria Airport. Hiring a car is a good option if you want the freedom to explore the island independently. The roads are generally in good condition, and the main GC-1 motorway, which connects the north, south, and east of the island, is excellent. Driving inland towards the mountains will take you on narrow, winding roads, but you'll be treated to stunning mountain landscapes along the way. Car hire is also relatively cheap, and fuel prices are reasonable compared to many other European countries.
Taxi Transfers
Taxis are readily available at Gran Canaria Airport, and you can also book a taxi in advance to ensure a licensed, professional driver and a fixed price.
Bus Services
Bus services are provided by Global, with routes 5, 60, 66, 90, and 91 connecting the airport to various destinations across the island. Route 5 runs a nighttime service from the San Telmo bus station in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Maspalomas Lighthouse in the south, stopping at the airport along the way. Route 60 connects the airport to Santa Catalina (the Harbour-Canteras area). Route 66 begins at the airport's international departures and takes you to the main tourist resort of Maspalomas, with stops at several tourist areas in the south, including Playa del Águila, San Agustín, and Playa del Inglés. Route 91 travels from Puerto de Mogán in the south to the bus station at San Telmo in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with a stop at the airport about 35 minutes after departing Las Palmas.
In addition to these regular bus services, there are also special bus services from most towns in Gran Canaria to the airport. Gran Canaria's main motorway, GC1, runs past the airport, providing easy access to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north and tourist resorts in the south.
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History of Gran Canaria Airport
Gran Canaria Airport, also known as Gando Airport, is located on the island of Gran Canaria, 18 kilometres from the island's capital, Las Palmas. The airport opened on 7 April 1930, when King Alfonso XIII signed a royal order announcing that the military air force installations on the Bay of Gando would become a civilian airfield.
In 1944-1946, the first passenger terminal was built. In 1960, the runway was extended to 3,100 metres. In 1963, further improvements were made, including new parking spaces, a visual approach slope indicator system, and an enlargement of the terminal. Construction of a new control tower began at the end of 1966, replacing the old one constructed in 1946. In 1964, a transmission station was built. In 1970, work began on a new passenger terminal, which opened in March 1973. A second runway was also built during this time and completed in 1980, significantly increasing passenger traffic.
In October 1991, the terminal was enlarged again to handle more passengers. On 18 February 1988, Binter Canarias announced that the airline's main base would be established at Gran Canaria, opening on 26 March 1989. In December 2010, Ryanair announced the opening of three new bases on the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria. In 2014, the airport handled over 10.3 million passengers, ranking first in the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain by passenger traffic. In 2015, a major renovation was completed, doubling the terminal area and increasing check-in and gate facilities.
Gran Canaria Airport is an important hub for passengers travelling to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles of Madeira and the Azores. It is also an official alternative landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle until the ending of the programme in July 2011. The airport is located 25 kilometres from the main tourist centres of the Canary Islands and benefits from excellent operating conditions due to its ideal weather.
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Ryanair bases in the Canary Islands
Ryanair has a significant presence in the Canary Islands, with bases located at strategic locations across the archipelago. In December 2010, Ryanair announced the opening of three new bases in the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife South. These bases allowed Ryanair to expand its reach and offer more competitive rates to travellers visiting the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria Airport, located on the island of Gran Canaria, is a major hub for Ryanair. The airport, which ranks first in the Canary Islands and fifth in Spain for passenger traffic, serves as a base for several airlines, including Ryanair. With over 10.3 million passengers in 2014, Gran Canaria Airport is an important gateway for travellers heading to West Africa and the Atlantic Isles. Ryanair operates 30 routes from this airport, contributing to its high passenger volume.
Lanzarote, another popular island in the Canary Islands, is home to one of Ryanair's bases. Ryanair's presence at Lanzarote Airport enhances its connectivity within the archipelago and beyond. The airline has recently announced the reopening of its base at Lanzarote for the Summer 2023 season, three years after its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This reopening is accompanied by the addition of new routes, further improving travel options for passengers.
Tenerife South, one of the two airports on the island of Tenerife, is also a key Ryanair base in the Canary Islands. Ryanair serves both Tenerife South and Tenerife North airports, providing convenient travel options for those visiting Tenerife and other nearby islands.
In addition to these bases, Ryanair also serves Fuerteventura Airport, offering flights to and from this airport. The airline's commitment to the Canary Islands is evident through its continuous expansion and the pursuit of new opportunities within the region. Ryanair's presence has contributed significantly to the accessibility and affordability of travel to and within the Canary Islands.
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Frequently asked questions
There are eight airports in the Canary Islands, with each island having one airport, except for Tenerife, which has two.
The airports in the Canary Islands are Tenerife North, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.
There are a variety of airlines that fly to the Canary Islands, including Aer Lingus, Iberia, KLM, Vueling, Swiss, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Finnair, Austrian Airlines, Luxair, Germanwings, Ryanair, Monarch, Jet2 and EasyJet.
