María Teresa Cuenca has been the director of Lanzarote airport since July 2022. Before that, she directed El Hierro airport and previously worked at Tenerife Norte airport.
Cuenca was born in a small town in León, she is an aeronautical engineer, and she believes that Lanzarote brings together the best of her previous destinations because it "has all kinds of leisure opportunities" and at the same time, "little traffic, so you can get anywhere very quickly."
In an interview with Ekonomus, she explains, among other things, what the remodeling of the airport will consist of and how the soundproofing plan is progressing.
- What does the planned remodeling of the airport, for which 140 million euros will be allocated, consist of?
We want to expand and remodel terminal 1 to make a big leap in quality. We are going to expand check-in, boarding, and security control areas. Always with the aim of improving the quality for the passenger and making the spaces more comfortable.
- Will T1 and T2 be joined?
Yes, they will be connected at boarding, once past security control, but terminal 2 will continue to operate independently for inter-island traffic.
The first phase of the remodeling will allow us to expand the boarding area of T1, and will allow T2 passengers, once past the security filter, to access all the commercial areas.
- Will an attempt be made to recover the spirit of César Manrique, which was lost in the last remodeling of the airport?
That is what we are going to try to do. One of the points that we will value most will be that it is an integrating project with the environment and with the island.
- With 8 million passengers in 2023, the airport reached historical maximums, what is the current capacity of the airport? Will it increase with the remodeling?
The current capacity is 9 million passengers per year. With the remodeling, the capacity will be increased a little, perhaps up to 10 million, although the main objective of the remodeling is to increase the quality of the traveler's experience.
"What we don't want to be is the bottleneck. Whether more or fewer travelers come depends on the attraction of the destination itself, the commitment of the companies, the limitations that are stipulated..."
- What are the deadlines for the remodeling?
In the coming months, the drafting of the project will be awarded to a company. Once we have the text, we have to carry out the relevant environmental procedures and tender the work. According to the deadlines of the State Procurement Law, I estimate that the works will begin in 2027.
In parallel, and a little further ahead, we also have the projects to expand the aircraft parking platform. First we are going to expand to the north, which will be tendered this year if there are no complications, then the expansion to the south.
- The remodeling is not designed to increase capacity, although as I mentioned, it will contribute something, what do you think of the current debate about tourist saturation on the island?
What we don't want to be is the bottleneck. Whether more or fewer travelers come depends on the attraction of the destination itself, the commitment of the companies, the limitations that are stipulated...
- How many jobs does Lanzarote airport generate?
Aena has 169 workers and the airport as a whole, 2,200 employees.
- Due to the strike of Saerco workers, Lanzarote airport has suffered major delays, can AENA help in this matter?
AENA cannot and should not intervene. This is a labor dispute between the company awarded the service and its own workers. As with any strike and with the current legislation, the Ministry establishes the minimum services it deems appropriate and these are being complied with.
- How is the noise monitoring system and soundproofing going?
The system allows users to visualize noise levels and the distance between any aircraft and a specific place, such as a home. It also allows you to file a complaint about a specific aircraft so that we can analyze it.
Regarding the acoustic insulation plan, in December 2021 we presented to the administrations our plan to soundproof more than 1,600 properties. Since that time, multiple insulation requests have been processed and many other measurements have been taken inside the homes.
The offers are now being evaluated to award the drafting of the soundproofing projects in the different homes.
- How can a resident who lives near the airport request soundproofing?
Any owner can contact the Acoustic Insulation Plans Management Office through the telephone number 91 590 31 70 or by email [email protected].
- Is it as difficult to get a taxi at Lanzarote airport as some people say?
It is true that there are specific moments, especially at peak times, when there are some queues, but I don't think it is the general rule, nor can we say that there are problems every day.
- Would you like taxis in Lanzarote to be more unified?
Any alternative that improves the situation will seem good to me.
- Lanzarote airport was a pioneer in improving the experience of people with autism, how does that plan work?
In 2018, Lanzarote and Malaga airports introduced a pilot project for passengers with autism spectrum disorders that has been developing and, today, is present throughout the network.
It is aimed at people who have difficulties in stressful environments with a lot of sensory stimulation. We have created a symbol that indicates that the carrier may need support, help or simply understanding and a little more time in the processes.
