FIRST LOOK: Lanzarote Airport’s €327 million renovation

The Lanzarote Cabildo has officially pulled back the curtain on the renovation and modernisation project for the island’s Airport, backed by a significant state investment of €327.4 million.

According to La Voz, it was presented to the Cabildo last Friday. The extensive development programme will see €144 million of the total budget ring-fenced specifically for the expansion of the terminal facilities.

This investment is designed to boost the airport’s operational capacity, streamline its facilities, and significantly elevate the quality of service for both residents and tourists. The project aims to future-proof the infrastructure against the island’s sustained growth, all while adhering to strict principles of efficient planning and sustainability.

The scale of the investment marks a substantial increase from previous funding rounds. It dwarfs the €39 million allocated by Aena to the airport between 2022 and 2026. Across the archipelago, airports in the Canary Islands are set to benefit from a €1.8 billion investment scheduled between 2027 and 2031.

WHAT WILL CHANGE AT LANZAROTE AIRPORT?

Key improvements will include the expansion of check-in areas and the addition of more check-in desks, alongside upgrades to security and passport control.

Passenger comfort will be enhanced through enlarged boarding waiting areas and the introduction of additional gates, which will be organised into two distinct zones – one dedicated to Schengen traffic and another for non-Schengen flights.

The baggage claim area will also be enlarged, with more carousels installed to streamline the arrivals experience.

A NEW LOOK FOR THE AIRPORT

The project aims to create “a new architectural symbol identifying the island of Lanzarote” through the installation of a unique, iconic roof. Visually, the redesign will “respect and incorporate” the island’s aesthetic, whilst improving the interior ambience of the spaces. Enhancements to accessibility are also central to the vision.

In terms of scale, the renovation will nearly double the airport’s current footprint by unifying the two existing terminals. Crucially, a dedicated area for inter-island flights will be maintained, operating in the same manner as it does currently.

The scope of the work extends beyond the passenger terminals themselves. The project also includes a significant expansion of the aircraft parking apron to accommodate the increase in operational capacity.