Aena announced yesterday its plans for an investment of €800 million aimed at modernising and expanding the airports of Tenerife Sur and Tenerife Norte – City of La Laguna. This initiative is intended to “adapt the infrastructure to meet tourism demand, enhance the passenger experience, and promote sustainability.”
The announcement was made yesterday by Aena’s president, Maurici Lucena, during his visit to Tenerife Sur Airport. He highlighted that the investments scheduled for Canarian airfields over the next five years will surpass €1 billion.
The southern runway, a key entry point for tourists to the Canary Islands—where 92% of traffic comprises visitors—welcomed 13.6 million passengers in 2023. It will undergo comprehensive renovations with a €550 million investment.
The project includes the unification of the terminal building across three phases. A significant feature of the redesign involves the creation of a new check-in area that will be relocated to the left side of the building, allowing the existing space to be dedicated to departures. Additionally, the current layout of luggage collection areas across different levels will be replaced by a single, centralised location.
Modernisation efforts will also encompass enhancements to security and passport controls, featuring an expanded inspection area with the introduction of two distinct checks to expedite the flow of travellers from outside the Schengen zone.
Regarding land transport access, the airport will establish an intermodal outer promenade, designed to optimise connections with taxis, buses, and car rental services.
A new two-storey car park will be constructed, featuring designated spaces for private vehicles and car rental firms, while entry and exit roadways will be reorganised to alleviate peak hour congestion. Moreover, the commercial offerings will be bolstered with a new gastronomic area and a VIP lounge. Commenting on the refurbishment, Aena’s Canary Islands Group director, Luis López Chapí, stated that this airport “should become a symbol of Tenerife.”
Expansion of Nearly 50%
Additionally, Tenerife North Airport – City of La Laguna, which recorded 6.7 million passengers in 2024, is set to receive a €250 million investment for its modernisation and expansion. The project entails an almost 50% expansion of the aerodrome, which will improve operational capacity and optimise crucial areas such as check-in, departures, and security.
The works will feature extensions at both ends of the runway. To the west, the new check-in area will be established, while the existing space will be reconfigured for security checks. Meanwhile, to the east, the luggage collection area will be expanded with the addition of new conveyor belts.
The modernisation plan anticipates the commencement of works in 2027, as outlined in the airport regulation document (Dora III) for 2027-2031. Currently, the project is in the planning stage, with the completion of the construction design expected this summer.
Following this phase, the environmental assessment process will commence, taking place between 2025-2026 in collaboration with the Canary Islands government and the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Upon completion of this process, AENA aims to begin construction in January 2027, implementing a phased development strategy to minimise disruption to airport operations.
