Canary Islands airports adjust operations for the upcoming papal visit

The Ministry of Transport is coordinating a special logistics plan in the islands to manage air traffic during the event.

Aerial view of an airport runway in the Canary Islands with volcanic landscape in the background.
IA

Aerial view of an airport runway in the Canary Islands with volcanic landscape in the background.

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has designed a logistics plan at the airports of Gran Canaria, Tenerife South, and Tenerife North to manage the pontiff's arrival in June.

The visit, declared an event of special public interest, has required months of coordination between administrations, security forces, and airport operators. The main objective is to ensure air traffic flow and security at Canary Islands facilities, where large crowds are expected.
In Tenerife, the choice of airport will depend on weather conditions, while in Gran Canaria, operations will be centered at the Gando Air Base. Technical teams have worked on configuring spaces for the official aircraft, including assistance services and refueling.
To minimize disruptions to regular traffic, authorities have collaborated with the Spanish Association for the Coordination and Facilitation of Slots to limit non-scheduled flights during the event dates. Additionally, ENAIRE will restrict airspace in transit areas for the exclusive use of official and security aircraft.