Tenerife South Airport: A Soaring Success Over the Years
Friday, January 17th, 2025
Year-on-Year Growth in Operations and Passenger Numbers
According to the figures released by the airport operator Aena, Tenerife South Airport has seen a significant surge in flight operations and passenger numbers in recent years, reflecting the island’s growing popularity. Comparing 2024 to 2023, the total number of starts and landings increased by 8.3%, from 83,598 to 90,508. Similarly, the total number of passengers rose by 11.4%, reaching 13,740,411 from the previous year’s 12,337,325.
Breaking this down further:
- Domestic passengers increased by 8.8%, from 1,089,383 in 2023 to 1,184,800 in 2024.
- International passengers saw a rise of 11.6%, from 11,137,927 to 12,429,385.
A Retrospective Look at Two Decades of Growth
Over the past 20 years, Tenerife South Airport has witnessed remarkable growth in both operations and passenger traffic:
- 2004: The airport recorded 62,824 starts and landings and served 8,632,178 passengers.
- 2014: By 2014, flight operations had decreased slightly to 60,290, but passenger numbers increased to 9,176,235, marking a growth of 6.3% in passenger traffic over the decade.
- 2019: Operations rose to 70,277, and passenger numbers soared to 11,168,707, a substantial 21.7% increase from 2004.
- 2022: After the challenges of the pandemic, the airport rebounded with 75,606 operations and 10,821,476 passengers, showing resilience despite the global slowdown.
- 2024: Operations reached a new high of 90,508, and passenger numbers surged to 13,740,411, representing a 59.2% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2004.
Winter 2024-2025: Record-Breaking Seat Capacity
The winter season, spanning 27 October 2024 to 29 March 2025, underscores the growing demand for Tenerife South Airport. Airlines have scheduled 7.9 million seats for flights to and from the airport, a 6.5% increase compared to the winter season of 2023-2024. This rise in seat capacity reflects the increased demand, as evidenced by the steadily growing passenger numbers over the last 20 years.
Driving Forces Behind the Growth
Several factors contribute to Tenerife South Airport’s continued growth:
- Tourism Boom: The Canary Islands remain a favoured destination for holidaymakers from across Europe, particularly during the winter months.
- Strategic Investments: Upgrades in infrastructure and services have enhanced the airport’s efficiency and appeal.
- Expanded Flight Routes: The addition of new domestic and international routes has broadened the airport’s connectivity.
The Future of Tenerife South Airport
Looking ahead, Tenerife South Airport is poised for continued growth as it adapts to rising passenger numbers and increasing flight operations. With record-breaking seat capacities and robust year-on-year growth, the airport is cementing its position as a vital gateway to the island of Tenerife and beyond.