While mainland hubs grab headlines, Aena’s eight Canary Islands airports will handle an impressive 2,794 flights over the same 3–4 January window, according to figures released by Europa Press. Gran Canaria leads with 837 operations, followed by Tenerife South (569) and Lanzarote (454).
The year-on-year growth of 7.4 % reflects both rising winter-sun tourism and the islands’ growing role as a stop-over point for Latin America-bound traffic. Airlines such as Binter Canarias and Iberia Express have added frequencies, while European leisure carriers have scheduled larger Airbus A321neo aircraft to maximise seat supply without adding new slots.
For international travellers planning winter escapes or onward journeys via the archipelago, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers an easy way to check visa requirements, secure electronic travel authorisations and even arrange courier-assisted passport renewals—helping passengers breeze through the new EES kiosks without last-minute surprises.
![Canary Islands airports to operate 2,794 flights this weekend, up 7.4 % year-on-year]()
Holidaymakers returning to mainland Spain before Epiphany face the twin challenges of heavy passenger volumes and the bedding-in of EES kiosks, which went live at Tenerife South on 28 December. Airport authorities have opened overflow queuing zones and advise passengers to complete Advance Passenger Information online to speed up border checks.
For corporate mobility teams managing rotational staff in the islands’ renewable-energy and submarine-telecom projects, the weekend peak is a reminder to secure flexible tickets and to monitor inter-island connections—which can be disrupted if mainland flights arrive late.
Tourism boards expect the strong start to 2026 to accelerate hotel occupancy and seasonal hiring, but caution that infrastructure upgrades at La Gomera and El Hierro airports are still pending EU funding approval.
The year-on-year growth of 7.4 % reflects both rising winter-sun tourism and the islands’ growing role as a stop-over point for Latin America-bound traffic. Airlines such as Binter Canarias and Iberia Express have added frequencies, while European leisure carriers have scheduled larger Airbus A321neo aircraft to maximise seat supply without adding new slots.
For international travellers planning winter escapes or onward journeys via the archipelago, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers an easy way to check visa requirements, secure electronic travel authorisations and even arrange courier-assisted passport renewals—helping passengers breeze through the new EES kiosks without last-minute surprises.
Holidaymakers returning to mainland Spain before Epiphany face the twin challenges of heavy passenger volumes and the bedding-in of EES kiosks, which went live at Tenerife South on 28 December. Airport authorities have opened overflow queuing zones and advise passengers to complete Advance Passenger Information online to speed up border checks.
For corporate mobility teams managing rotational staff in the islands’ renewable-energy and submarine-telecom projects, the weekend peak is a reminder to secure flexible tickets and to monitor inter-island connections—which can be disrupted if mainland flights arrive late.
Tourism boards expect the strong start to 2026 to accelerate hotel occupancy and seasonal hiring, but caution that infrastructure upgrades at La Gomera and El Hierro airports are still pending EU funding approval.
