Canary Islands proposes new airport runways

The Canary Islands government has proposed the construction of new runways at Gran Canaria Airport and Tenerife South Airport to address rising travel demand. This proposal is part of the draft Strategy for Sustainable and Intelligent Mobility of the Canary Islands (Emsican), which is currently undergoing environmental assessment and public consultation.

The plan includes the possibility of dedicated 1,500-meter runways for intra-island flights. In Gran Canaria, where such flights account for 42.2% of traffic, a third runway is being considered. At Tenerife South, a second runway could improve connectivity with La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.

These infrastructure projects aim to accommodate significant passenger growth. Gran Canaria Airport saw passenger numbers rise from 11.17 million in 2019 to 13.97 million in 2025, with projections reaching 23.96 million by 2050. Similarly, Tenerife South Airport grew from 13.26 million passengers in 2019 to 15.83 million in 2025, with a 2050 forecast of 25.86 million.