Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 27, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment, which formulates the strategic environmental declaration of the revision of the Master Plan of Tenerife North Airport-Ciudad de La Laguna |
|---|---|
| Publication | August 13, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 13, 2026 |
| Promoter | AENA |
| Affected parties | AENA, Ministry of Transport, municipalities of La Laguna and surrounding area of Tenerife North Airport |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Year | 2026 |
| Total service area | 200.78 ha (expansion of 2.31 ha) |
| Passenger horizon | 7.68 million annually |
| Operations horizon | 90,970 annual operations |
| Increase compared to 2024 | +13.6% |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-17716 |
Tenerife North Airport has the green light to grow. The General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment has formulated the strategic environmental declaration that enables the revision of the Master Plan promoted by AENA, published in the BOE on August 13, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-17716). This step is the essential prerequisite for the Ministry of Transport to definitively approve the Master Plan.
For companies in the airport environment, logistics operators, real estate developers and local administrations in La Laguna, this resolution marks the beginning of the formal process of airport transformation.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution formulates the strategic environmental declaration of the revision of the Master Plan of Tenerife North Airport-Ciudad de La Laguna. In practical terms, it is the environmental "green light" that allows the Ministry of Transport to continue with the definitive approval of the Plan.
The specific actions that the Master Plan enables are as follows:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Terminal building expansion | Expansion of the capacity of the existing passenger terminal |
| New parking facilities | Construction of new parking spaces in the service area |
| RESA areas adaptation | Improvement of runway end safety areas (Runway End Safety Area) |
| Road improvements | Adaptation of the airport's internal road network |
Two actions initially planned were discarded following objections submitted by municipalities and professional associations:
- Improvement of approach lighting systems
- Commercial development
The airport's service area goes from its current surface to 200.78 ha total, with a net increase of 2.31 ha.
Economic and operational impact
The Master Plan is not just a matter of infrastructure: it defines the ceiling for airport growth in the coming years and, with it, the volume of business that can be generated in its surroundings.
The traffic horizon set represents a significant jump compared to the current situation:
| Indicator | 2024 Reference | Master Plan Horizon | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual passengers | 2024 baseline (implicit) | 7.68 million | +13.6% |
| Annual operations | 2024 baseline (implicit) | 90,970 | +13.6% |
| Service area surface | 198.47 ha (implicit) | 200.78 ha | +2.31 ha |
A 13.6% increase in passengers and operations has direct consequences for hospitality, transport, logistics, commerce and services businesses in the La Laguna and northern Tenerife area. More flights mean more demand for auxiliary services, greater need for personnel and more pressure on local mobility.
The elimination of commercial development from the project, following the objections received, reduces the impact on the commercial fabric of the immediate surroundings, although it also limits business opportunities within the airport premises.
Who is affected?
- AENA: promoter of the Master Plan, responsible for executing the enabled actions once the Ministry definitively approves the Plan.
- Ministry of Transport: must definitively approve the Master Plan, now that it has the strategic environmental declaration.
- Municipality of La Laguna and surrounding municipalities: affected by the growth of the service area and the increase in air and ground traffic.
- Handling, logistics and airport services companies: the increase in operations (+13.6%) expands the demand for their services.
- Hospitality and tourism sector in northern Tenerife: more passengers mean greater potential influx of travelers in the area.
- Real estate and commercial developers: the elimination of commercial development closes an opportunity within the premises, but airport growth can generate demand in the surrounding area.
- Professional associations and groups that submitted objections: their intervention resulted in the withdrawal of two actions from the Plan.
Practical example
A passenger transport company operating in the Tenerife North Airport area can use the Master Plan horizon as a planning reference. If the airport will move from its current traffic to 7.68 million annual passengers (13.6% more than in 2024), that represents tens of thousands of additional passengers per year who will need transfers, taxis, buses or rental vehicles.
Similarly, a catering company or auxiliary services provider that bids for contracts with AENA can size its offer taking into account that the Plan forecasts 90,970 annual operations: each additional operation compared to 2024 is one more flight that needs supplies, cleaning or ground assistance.
For municipalities, the increase of 2.31 ha in the service area implies reviewing the urban plans of the surrounding area to ensure compatibility with the new airport delimitation.
What should companies do now?
- Review if your activity is in the airport environment: if you operate in La Laguna or northern Tenerife and depend on air traffic, this Master Plan defines your potential market for the coming years.
- Follow the Ministry of Transport's definitive approval process: the strategic environmental declaration is already approved, but the Master Plan must still be definitively approved by the Ministry. Monitor the BOE to know the exact date.
- Update business plans with the traffic horizon: use the figures of 7.68 million passengers and 90,970 annual operations as a reference for demand projections.
- Verify the new delimitation of the service area (200.78 ha): if you have properties or activities in the immediate vicinity of the airport, check if the 2.31 ha expansion affects your urban or contractual situation.
- Consult with the Municipality of La Laguna: changes in the service area may have implications for licenses, planning and land use compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strategic environmental declaration of the Tenerife North Master Plan?
It is the resolution issued by the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment that evaluates the environmental effects of the Master Plan and enables its processing. Without this declaration, the Ministry of Transport cannot definitively approve the Master Plan of Tenerife North Airport-Ciudad de La Laguna. It was published on August 13, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-17716).
How many passengers does the new Tenerife North Airport Master Plan forecast?
The development horizon of the Master Plan forecasts 7.68 million annual passengers and 90,970 annual operations, which represents an increase of 13.6% compared to 2024 figures.
What actions does the Tenerife North Airport Master Plan include?
The enabled actions are: terminal building expansion, construction of new parking facilities, adaptation of runway end safety areas (RESA) and road improvements. The improvement of approach lighting systems and commercial development were discarded following objections from municipalities and professional associations.
How much does the airport's service area grow with the new Master Plan?
The service area increases by 2.31 hectares, reaching a total surface of 200.78 ha.
When will the Tenerife North Airport Master Plan come into force?
The strategic environmental declaration came into force on August 13, 2026, the date of its publication in the BOE. However, the Master Plan itself must be definitively approved by the Ministry of Transport in a subsequent step. The environmental declaration is the essential prerequisite for that definitive approval.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17716