Expectation was at its peak for the pontiff's arrival in the Canary Islands, marking his first visit to the archipelago. Flight IBE1497, an Airbus A320-216 named Peñón de Ifach, departed from Barcelona with a one-hour delay and became one of the most tracked flights on Flightradar24, reaching peaks of nearly 2,000 simultaneous connected users.
The aircraft flew over several Spanish provinces before entering the Atlantic. The journey of over 2,200 kilometers, lasting approximately two and a half hours, was conducted at altitudes up to 35,000 feet (about 10,600 meters).
Following his landing, Pope Leo XIV's schedule includes a meeting with migrants at the Port of Arguineguín, a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Ana in Vegueta to meet with clergy, and a major mass at the Gran Canaria Stadium.
Thousands of Catholics from the islands eagerly await the pontiff's arrival.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has warned of significant traffic disruptions in Gran Canaria and Tenerife due to the visit, advising against unnecessary travel.
