Historic Transformation for Tenerife South Airport: AENA Announces €550 Million Redevelopment Plan

TENERIFE SOUTH – Airport operator AENA has unveiled comprehensive details for the major redevelopment of Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofía). Representing the largest project in the airport's history, the master plan involves an investment of over €550 million. Construction work is scheduled to begin in autumn 2027 following the completion of tendering processes and environmental approvals, with final completion targeted for 2036.

The complex engineering design consists of 57 carefully structured sub-phases. This phased approach will allow the airport to remain fully operational without interrupting commercial flight schedules throughout the multi-year construction process.

First Phase: Car Parks and Roadway Restructuring

The initial stage of the project will focus entirely on outer surface access and parking, carrying a budget of €48 million and taking approximately 30 months to complete.

AENA will expand overall parking capacity by adding nearly 2,000 spaces—800 for general public use and 1,200 allocated for car rental fleets (rent-a-car). The surrounding road infrastructure will also be re-engineered to eliminate traffic bottlenecks in front of the terminal buildings.

Terminal Expansion and Rebuilding Operations

Following the completion of external works, focus will shift to the main terminal building, representing an investment of €464 million over 40 months. Simultaneously, a complete overhaul of the baggage handling system (SATE) will be carried out over 56 months at a cost of €69 million.

Engineering Director Leticia de Marcos stated that the strategy centers on constructing new facilities prior to removing legacy infrastructure. Early milestones include a spacious check-in hall adjacent to Terminal 2 and a temporary remote departure lounge featuring six boarding gates to maintain passenger flow during active construction.

A Modern, Unified, and Sustainable Terminal

With the exception of the connecting building opened in 2022—which will be incorporated into the master layout—the majority of the old terminal structure will be demolished and rebuilt from the foundations. Once completed, the unified terminal footprint will expand by 28%, extending 50 meters north and 25 meters west.

• Centralized Arrivals Hall: A single spacious area replacing fragmented exit zones for international and domestic passengers.
• Unified Border Control: Streamlined passport checks within a single centralized security area.
• Expanded Baggage Reclaim: Increased floor space equipped with high-capacity carousel systems.
• Environmental Performance: Powered by renewable energy systems to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, ahead of EU targets.

Future Railway Integration and Passenger Capacity

The structural designs account for the proposed Tenerife South Train project. Underground levels and parking corridors have been adapted to ensure seamless connection if the railway infrastructure moves forward. Canary Islands Airport Group Director Luis López Chapí noted that AENA is proactively ensuring the airport integrates smoothly with regional public transport networks.

Although the terminal space will grow substantially, AENA emphasizes that the project is not intended to raise official runway or aircraft stand capacity. Instead, the focus is on elevating service standards and comfort levels. This transformation will greatly improve the arrival experience for international travelers heading to popular destinations in the south, including guests staying in holiday apartments in los cristianos .