Las Palmas de Gran Canaria airport received its name from the city of the same name in the Canary Islands. The region is considered an Autonomous Region of Spain. The air harbor of the paradise island is located twenty kilometers south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The airport is considered the fifth busiest in the country and the only one on the territory of the islands.
A little about the history of the airport
The first terminal of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria airport was built in just three years. In 1930, the infrastructure facility was conceived and designed on paper, and three years later the first airliner departed from its runway on the Canary Islands - Madrid route. It is noteworthy that this route is still one of the most popular among passengers.
The first plane arrived in Las Palmas back in 1933.
The second terminal was completed in 1944-1946, during this time the runway was also reconstructed, extending its length to the optimal 2000 meters. Then the airport was assigned the second category in terms of passenger traffic (up to 7 thousand passengers per year).
The next significant date was the laying of the second runway in 1980, which significantly increased the number of passengers carried.
Today Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a modern airport located in stable climatic conditions. The annual passenger traffic has long exceeded 10 million people.
Over 12 months, more than 120 thousand flights are carried out. In addition to passenger ships, cargo liners take off and land in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Thus, over 40 tons of various cargo were transported during the year.
Airport terminals
Without exception, all domestic and international passenger flights are served by one terminal. The second, completed later, is focused on freight transportation.
On the territory of the passenger terminal, in a three-story building, check-in for flights, passport control is carried out, waiting rooms, duty-free rooms and much more are equipped. You can see the diagram of the first, or rather, according to the rules of the airport, the zero floor here, the second (but at the airport it is called the first) - here, and the third (second) - here.
Remember, when airport employees specify a floor, they keep records from the ground floor. This nuance must be taken into account when addressing them with a question.
Arrivals halls with passport control are located:
- Floor P0. International flights.
- Floor 0. Domestic flights.
Customs control operates in the baggage check-in halls. Airport officials recommend that passengers who are not sure whether to declare their baggage at customs control should contact them with a request.
Passengers departing from Las Palmas will find check-in desks at:
- Floor P0, departure: tables 401-406, new window.
- Floor P1, departures: tables 101-118, 201-234 and 301-352, new window.
Services
All passengers have the opportunity to use a luggage storage room. There are several points for resolving situations related to the loss of things at once, all of them are located in the baggage check-in halls. Additionally, there are boxes where you can turn in case of loss of personal belongings and to return what was found.
In addition, if necessary, the airport provides packaging services for products using plastic containers (check-in area, ground floor, contact phone 00 800 126 000 86). The option is provided for a fee, the cost may vary depending on the airline the tourist uses.
The average price of packing one bag weighing up to 32 kilograms is 2.5 - 3 euros.
Any passenger with a disability can take advantage of the free escort and support option at the airport. To do this, you should submit a request at the airport hotline (+34) 91 321 10 00 at least 24 hours before the flight.
ATM machines
There are two currency exchange offices on the territory of the airport, where you can exchange money from about 80 countries of the world, use traveler's checks, debit and credit cards, and receive an international transfer. Currency exchange offices are located on the ground floor in the arrivals and boarding halls. Schedule: 08:00 to 22:30.
ATMs:
- Bank Santander - Floor 1: Exit Hall, Boarding, Gate A19-A21 (Zone A); landing, gate B5-B6.
- Caixa Bank - Floor 1: Exit Lounge and Area A; landing, gates A19-A21; landing, gate B5-B6.
- Euronet Bank - accepts MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro, EC, Union Pay, American Express, JCB, Visa, Visa Electron. Contact phone 912 868 448. Located on the ground floor in the arrival hall.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport. However, it is only available to registered users. The process of creating an account on the airport website does not take much time, you can register through any social network, you do not need to enter codes and pay for connection.
Conference hall and press center
The airport building houses a modern conference room that can comfortably accommodate 74 people. The room is equipped with a high-quality acoustic system. Located on the 2nd floor in the departure area. Available for rent to passengers on request. Contact phone of the person in charge: 928 579 005/928 579 921.
There is a press center on the ground floor near the registration point. Customer support for passengers, users and customers on the first floor of the Departures Hall. Consultations are possible by phone (+34) 928 579 094 / (+34) 928 579 095. In the arrival area there are also information points of many airlines.
Medical services
If necessary, airport staff can provide passengers with medical assistance, the main point is located on the ground floor, 16 rescue zones are additionally equipped with defibrillators and other equipment aimed at stabilizing the condition of a person with heart problems.
In addition, the airport has:
- children's play area,
- post offices,
- chapel.
Shopping and food
Snack and takeout cafeterias are located throughout the airport. Please note that some of them serve exclusively passengers, while others are open, for example, to accompanying people:
- Caffé Ritazza - Terminal One, Floor One, Departures, Public Area. For passengers only.
- Cafe "Soho" - terminal one floor one, departures. For passengers only.
- Starbucks - floor one, departures. For passengers only.
- Surf Cross - Terminal One, Ground Floor, Arrivals, Public Area.
- Tropical (drinks, including low alcohol) - Terminal one, ground floor, arrival hall (public area) and departure hall (for passengers only).
- Upper Crust and Burger King - Terminal 1, Ground Floor, Departures.
A huge number of shops in different directions makes shopping in Gran Canaria very profitable and interesting. You can view the full list of stores on the airport website in the relevant thematic section.
The most interesting retail outlets:
- A wide selection of groceries at the Productos de Canarias on the ground floor in the departure and arrival area.
- Quality personal care items at Aloe Plus Lanzarot (ground floor, departures, Gran Canaria airport passengers only).
- Sporting goods at affordable prices in Base (departure area, ground floor).
- Gran Canaria Duty Free, a large-scale duty-free zone, equipped on the first and second floors of the first terminal. Consists of several large shopping centers.
- Jewelry stores including Swarovski on the ground floor in the departure area.
FAQ
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport is a huge complex with a well-organized infrastructure. Tourists traveling through the Canary Islands for the first time have many questions about check-in, baggage, transit area, parking and airport transfers to nearby cities.
How does the registration take place? Is it possible to register through the machine?
Check-in has different time frames for domestic and international flights. Thus, passengers traveling in Spain begin to register 1.5 hours before the departure of the plane. If the passenger plans to leave the country, then he can check in 2.5 hours before the departure of the plane.
In both cases, check-in counters remain open to passengers not until the departure of the airliner: check-in closes 40 minutes before departure. Only Norwegian Air low-cost passengers can check-in through the machine. You can check in and print your boarding ticket at the machine located near check-in counter no.
How much should I pay taxes for luggage?
The Spanish Tax Agency exempts passengers from paying import duties, whose luggage (goods in it) does not exceed 430 euros per person. For children under the age of 15, this limit has been reduced to 150 euros.
If goods in baggage exceed the above values, they must be declared. Medicines for personal use are not counted.
Where is the transit area at the airport?
The transit area is located on the second floor of the first passenger terminal, as indicated by the official website. It must contain citizens who have a temporary visa for 1-2 days (called a transit visa). The document allows you to stay in the international transit area of the Spanish airport without leaving it. On the territory of Gran Canaria, you can spend the night in the common room, at night the staff dims the bright lights.
How much is airport parking?
There are two parking lots at the airport: one is common, and the other is intended for long-term car storage.
The public car park, designated P1, is spread over three floors and allows parking for cars up to 2.10 meters high. Located near the terminal, easily accessible on foot. Seat reservation available. Eight hours parking (minimum) costs 10 euros.
Long term parking (P2) is located four minutes from the terminal. A seat here is cheaper, you can additionally save on advance booking. A week of car parking will cost the client 54-60 euros. Discounts are available for those entering the Precio aena club.
How to get from the airport to the city?
The easiest and most economical way is to travel by bus. The Globassu company is engaged in intercity transportation to all corners of the island. The stop at the airport is located near the exit from the passenger terminal. Tickets are purchased from a ticket machine or directly from the driver of the bus you need.
North direction:
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Faro de Maspalomas: bus number 60 or 91, ticket price does not exceed 3 euros.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Agüimes: Line 11, runs only from Monday to Friday, costs 2.30 euros.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Playa del Cura: Flight 91, ticket costs up to 5.4 euros.
South direction:
- Faro de Maspalomas - Gran Canaria Airport: buses leave every hour, the cost of the ticket will depend on the destination at the point of arrival, the maximum trip will have to pay 4.05 euros.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Playa del Cura: Bus 91 departs approximately every 1.5 hours.
Bus transfers are provided with almost all cities located on the map nearby. It is most convenient to check the schedule at tourist assistance points. There you will always be prompted in which hotel you can rent a room in the right price category.
Where can I see the flight schedule online?
The online scoreboard is featured on many information sites that track aircraft arrivals and departures. You can view the schedule in real time here and here and on the airport website. Information is updated instantly.
Conclusion
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport is the air gateway to the Canary Islands. The airport serves several million people annually.
One terminal is provided for passenger transportation, the second serves as a cargo terminal. The airport layout is very simple. A full list of services is provided, ranging from luggage storage and ending with banking organizations.
