Gran Canaria Airport Departures (LPA)

Flight Departures at Gran Canaria Airport

Gran Canaria Airport is located approximately 18 km from Gran Canaria's capital city, by the name of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and only 25 km from many popular holiday resorts found to the south of the island. The airport is also known as the Gando Airport, due to its location in the Bay of Gando, or informally, as the Las Palmas Airport. It is defined from other airports by its official code of LPA. Gran Canaria is one of the larger Canary Islands of Spain, and its airport is the largest serving the islands, with over nine million passengers per annum. Passengers departing from Gran Canaria Airport will find all the facilities they require in the departure lounge, and a variety of transport options in order to reach the airport.

For those who would like to travel to Gran Canaria Airport in their own car, the major motorway of the GC-1 directly passes the airport, and provides a very convenient and adequate road link to the terminal building. This motorway stretches from the southern end of the island to the north, where the capital city lies. Gran Canaria Airport is located approximately half way up the eastern coastline of the island. Motorists should easily find the airport from all directions on the island, but should allow sufficient time for travelling, as the major GC-1 motorway has the potential to become congested. Adequate parking facilities are provided at the airport, or passengers can be dropped off for their departure flight in front of the terminal. Passengers on departure flights from Gran Canaria Airport can also arrive by bus or taxi. Buses operated by Global travel the length of the island, and stop at the airport. The buses available are the Lines 5, 60 and 66. Taxis are a reliable and convenient form of transport on Gran Canaria Island, but are rather more expensive than bus services.

Gran Canaria Airport has a single terminal building, and all departure flights are handled from the upper floor (first floor) of the airport, while arrivals are handled on the ground floor. Although just a single terminal, it is divided into three clearly indicated areas, referred to as zones. The zones apply to both the departure and arrival areas. Passengers departing on international flights will use Zone B, while passengers travelling to other European Union destinations will need to go to Zone A. Zone C at Gran Canaria Airport is specifically used for inter-island flights, and for some regional flights. In total, there are 96 check-in desks, and 38 boarding gates. Passengers will proceed to the check-in desk of their airline company to receive their boarding card and to check-in hold luggage. The boarding card that is given indicates the zone and gate number to be used, and a letter and a colour identify every boarding area of the airport.

Similar to all airports, passengers departing from Gran Canaria Airport must pass through strict security control procedures before entering the secure boarding area. Passengers will walk through a metal detector arch, and will have their hand luggage and all other items with them checked by x-ray screening equipment. These procedures are put in place for the safety of all passengers on board the aircraft, as well as the safety of the airline crew involved. Anyone boarding a plane can assist by wearing and carrying as few metal objects as possible, by wearing comfortable shoes and jackets etc. which can easily be removed if necessary, and by generally showing patience and co-operation with the airport’s security control procedures. Young children and disabled passengers will be handled in a way that pertains to their comfort and does not cause any stress. Keep in mind that the new regulations that involve the carrying of liquids in hand luggage will apply to all passengers on departure from Gran Canaria Airport.

Gran Canaria Airport is managed by Aena Aeropuertos, the world’s leading airport operator, which is in direct control of 47 airports and 2 heliports in Spain, and also participates in the management of a further 28 airports around the world. Gran Canaria is therefore a very well organized establishment, and well equipped with all facilities required. Departing passengers have access to a range of shopping outlets and restaurants, as well as banking services by Caja Canarias. For more casual banking needs, there are ATM's throughout the terminal. Currency exchange services are provided, and business passengers can use the meeting room facilities and VIP lounge, referred to as the Galdós VIP Lounge. Further facilities include a children's play area, baby changing rooms and special toilets for children, a post office and medical services, and assistance is also provided for passengers with reduced mobility. In 2003, Gran Canaria Airport obtained the International Accessibility Symbol for persons with reduced mobility, by removing all physical barriers in the terminals and other areas of the airport, and modifying various amenities for the comfort of such passengers. Visually impaired passengers and their guide dogs are also welcome in the terminal building.

Gran Canaria Airport is a hub for the airline companies of Binter Canarias, Naysa, Islas Airways and Ryanair, one of the most popular low-cost airline companies in the world. These four airline carriers offer departure flights to destinations such as Funchal, Tenerife North, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Barcelona, Birmingham, Madrid, Pisa, Liverpool, London-Stansted, Dublin, Glasgow-Prestwick and many more. Popular airline companies flying to the Spanish mainland include Air Europa, Spanair, Iberia and Vueling, while Air Berlin, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways offer a variety of other year-round and seasonal flights. Other airline carriers at Gran Canaria Airport include Air Italy, Condor, EasyJet, Finnair, Monarch, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Neos, Luxair and Austrian Airlines. In 2010, Gran Canaria Airport handled almost nine and a half million passengers.

Passengers on flights from Gran Canaria Airport can expect nothing but a smooth and hassle-free departure.