Santa Cruz de Tenerife 13 Feb. (Europa Press) –
Pablo Rodríguez, the Minister of Public Works and Transport for the Government of the Canary Islands, stated on Thursday that the Dora 2027-31 plan introduced by AENA addresses the “historical requirements” of the airports across the archipelago.
Responding to an inquiry from VOX during the parliamentary committee, he noted that the recent meeting between the head of the management body, Maurici Lucena, and the Canary institutions was “immensely satisfying.” This meeting discussed investments that surpass 1,000 million euros, primarily focused on the airports of Tenerife Sur, Tenerife Norte, and Lanzarote.
Rodríguez acknowledged that the Balearic Islands have been “better treated” than the Canary Islands by the AENA management, which employs a mixed approach akin to that of port authorities, given that airports represent “strategic” infrastructure for the islands.
The councillor highlighted that various project documents have already been put out for tender and awarded, enabling the commencement of the Environmental Impact Declaration process so that the construction can initiate in 2027.
Specifically, he mentioned that the new terminal at Tenerife Sur is projected to cost around 550 million euros, while the renovations at Tenerife Norte and the Terminal Union in Lanzarote are each estimated at an additional 200 million euros.
Paula Jover (VOX) deemed the investment of over 1,000 million euros in the Canary Islands as “strategic,” but she opposed the rise in aerial fees and called it “unacceptable” that British tourists experience queues of up to “two hours” at security and passport control, not to mention an extra hour just to get a taxi, further complicating the situation.
She also questioned whether it is a “wise decision” to dismiss the idea of a second runway at Tenerife Sur or if the airports of Tenerife Norte and Lanzarote have “reached their maximum capacity.”