Airports in the Canary Islands are heading into one of the busiest periods of the year, as the Christmas and New Year holidays lead to a sharp increase in flight operations. Between 19 December and 7 January, the archipelago’s airports are expected to manage 24,827 flights, marking a significant rise compared to last year.
A notable increase compared to 2024
According to Aena, this figure represents 1,708 more operations than those recorded during the same festive season in 2024, when a total of 23,119 flights were counted. The increase consolidates the Canary Islands as one of Spain’s main hubs for winter travel, driven by both resident mobility and seasonal tourism.
A busy final weekend of 2025
This final weekend of the year is especially intense:
- Saturday: airports handled 1,511 flights, with Gran Canaria Airport once again leading activity.
- Total operations: 443
- Domestic connections: 247
- International flights: 196
This makes Gran Canaria the busiest airport in the autonomous community during the festive season.
- Sunday: a total of 1,370 operations are expected, again headed by:
- Gran Canaria: 414 movements
- Tenerife South: around 245 operations
Secondary airports across the archipelago are also experiencing an uptick in activity in response to high passenger demand.
A key gateway between Spain, Europe and international destinations
The rise in air traffic highlights the strategic role of the Canary Islands’ airports as essential connecting points between mainland Spain, the rest of Europe, and long-haul destinations, especially during the holidays.
Recommendation for passengers
Aena reminds travellers that schedules may be modified due to operational issues or unexpected weather conditions. Passengers are advised to regularly check:
- their airline’s updates
- official Aena channels
to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Operational challenges during peak season
The increase in scheduled flights compared to the previous year reflects the operational complexity for airport management. With thousands of flights concentrated in a short timeframe, aerodromes must coordinate intensively to maintain safety, punctuality and service quality during one of the busiest periods of the year.
