ELCHE (ALICANTE), 18 (EUROPA PRESS)
Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Government, announced a proposal on Thursday for investments in Aena’s airports, estimated at around €13 billion between 2027 and 2031. The aim is to enable these facilities to “adapt to the growing demand.”
This initiative represents the “largest investment” in decades for this network, with €800 million allocated specifically to the Canary Islands, primarily targeting the two airports in Tenerife.
At Tenerife South Airport, a total investment of €550 million is planned. This will include a complete renovation of the terminal area, significantly enhancing the passenger experience with a nearly 50% increase in surface area. Improvements will involve the façade towards the roads, the new check-in area, and remote boarding lounges. The project will also introduce new technologies and enhance the terminal’s architectural integration with its surroundings.
For Tenerife North Airport-Ciudad de La Laguna, the investment will amount to €250 million, aimed at expanding the terminal building to accommodate expected traffic demand. This will include upgrades to processes and new spaces, which will increase by over 40%.
Specifically, plans include expanding the check-in area and the number of counters, enhancing security controls in the building’s most iconic areas, increasing the boarding area and the number of gates, and improving the baggage claim area along with the number of conveyor belts. Functional organisation of parking and access to the airport will also be coordinated with the TF-5 project.
REFORM IN LANZAROTE
Significant improvements are also planned at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport for the period 2027-2031. These will involve process enhancements such as expanding check-in counters and areas, upgrading security and passport controls, increasing waiting areas for boarding and the number of gates (creating two boarding zones for Schengen and non-Schengen flights), and improving baggage collection services.
Changes to the architectural design of the airport will create a new, identifiable space for the island of Lanzarote, featuring a unique roof and enhancing the interior image of the spaces, accessibility, and intermodality. Current spaces are expected to nearly double, allowing for the unification of the two terminals, while maintaining a dedicated area for inter-island flights.
At Gran Canaria Airport, where the terminal area was previously expanded by 68,000 square metres (from 105,000 to 173,000), the current plan includes adapting the terminal for new security controls with cutting-edge technology, improving façades, and reconfiguring the arrivals hall, as well as enhancements to parking facilities.
Moreover, in this DORA, the design of functional spaces will be prepared in the initial phase of the projects, assessing if further substantial actions will be necessary in the future.
For Fuerteventura Airport, which has received over €237 million in previous modernisation and expansion plans, the next five years will see the terminal adapted to new security controls with modern technology, renewal of electromechanical installations, and an analysis of whether more extensive actions will be required in subsequent plans.
OVER A MILLION AT EL HIERRO
At El Hierro Airport, activities are planned in the flight field and platform (new parking positions), improvements in safety, and an increase in operational safety (pavement regeneration), information systems, communications, and sustainability, including a switch to LED lighting and system renewal for purification.
Additionally, an investment of over one million euros is planned for expanding the parking area, which will increase the number of spaces by approximately 20% while refurbishing the current zone.
At La Palma Airport, improvements in processes and quality within the terminal area are proposed, along with activities in the flight field and platform, enhancing safety, increasing operational safety (expanding the runway strip), and upgrades to information systems and communications, as well as sustainability, which includes renewing wind turbines and providing acoustic insulation.
In previous investment periods, a new terminal, control tower, and Automatic Baggage Handling and Inspection System were constructed, along with a new SEI building and an expansion of the power station, all with a total investment of €225 million.
Plans for La Gomera Airport during 2027-2031 include improvements in processes and quality within the terminal area, activities in the flight field and platform, safety enhancements, increasing operational safety (renewing the runway surface), and upgrades to information systems and communications.
A photovoltaic plan has also been developed, proposing a solar park consisting of two solar photovoltaic plants, each occupying 0.59 hectares with a nominal power of 0.499MWn (0.581 MWp).
Regulated investments will be discussed based on Aena’s proposal during the mandatory consultation process with the airlines, as outlined by Law 18/2014. This will also be presented in the Airport Coordination Committee of each region, comprising representatives from national and local administrations, as well as from the economic and social sectors, according to a government statement.
Once the consultation process is completed, the investment proposal will be integrated into the DORA plan for the period between 2027 and 2031, continuing its processing until it receives final approval from the Council of Ministers.
