Fuerteventura Airport, or FUE, offers a compact and modern experience for travellers exploring the Canary Islands. The passenger experience at FUE, handling around 6.5 million passengers annually across 80 destinations, is shaped by its single, two-level terminal, serving airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, and Vueling.
The terminal’s airy design, with recent upgrades including new security scanners, features clear signage and local touches like Canarian art displays, ensuring easy navigation. Its modest size keeps walking distances short, though summer peaks can create crowded conditions, particularly at check-in and security. The airport’s focus on leisure travel, with routes to London, Madrid, and Berlin, caters to holidaymakers seeking Fuerteventura’s beaches and volcanic landscapes.
Accessing the airport from Puerto del Rosario, 5 kilometres away, is quick and convenient. Bus route 3 connects to the city centre in 15 minutes for £1.20, running every 30 minutes from 6:30 am. to 10:30 pm with route 10 serving Costa Calma for £6.
Taxis, available outside arrivals, cost £10-£15 to Puerto del Rosario, taking 10 minutes, with pre-booked transfers via Welcome Pickups offering reliability. Car rental agencies like Avis, Hertz, and Goldcar are in the arrivals hall, and parking options include P1 short-stay at £1 for 30 minutes and P2 long-stay at £8 per day, bookable online. The FV-2 road ensures easy driving access, though summer traffic can slow travel.
The airport’s layout features a single terminal with check-in and arrivals on the ground floor, including 40 counters and baggage claim, and departures with 24 gates on the first floor, split into Schengen and non-Schengen zones.
Security and passport control are centrally located, with Schengen flights bypassing immigration. Bus transfers to aircraft are common, and ongoing terminal enhancements may cause minor disruptions. The terminal’s 65,000-square-metre design is efficient, but limited seating during peak hours can be a challenge.
Delays are most common in July and August, with security queues taking up to 30 minutes and passport control for non-Schengen flights adding 20-40 minutes, as noted in traveller reviews. Summer storms and baggage handling delays can affect schedules, with international arrivals sometimes waiting 45 minutes for luggage. Arriving three hours early for international flights and two for Schengen is advised, with online check-in recommended for low-cost carriers to avoid fees. Flight status updates via apps like Flightradar24 or airport screens help manage gate changes.
Dining options include Market Square food court on the first floor, featuring Pasta City, Sushi & More, and Lizarrلn for tapas, alongside O’Learys for burgers and Camden Food for healthy snacks. Prices are high, with a coffee at £3-£4, and most eateries close by 10 pm leaving vending machines for late-night travellers. Retail features Aena Duty Free for perfumes, alcohol, and Canarian souvenirs like mojo sauce, plus Relay and Hudson for books and essentials. A supermarket outside the terminal, a 10-minute walk, offers cheaper snacks.
Facilities cater to diverse needs, with free Wi-Fi via “Aena Free WiFi” requiring registration, though connectivity can be patchy. Charging stations are available but limited, so portable chargers are useful. The Jable VIP Lounge on the first floor, accessible for £25 or via Priority Pass, offers snacks, drinks, and showers. Accessibility services include ramps, lifts, wheelchair assistance, and Sunflower Lanyard support, bookable 48 hours in advance. A children’s play area, baby-changing stations, and a first aid room are available, with smoking areas outside the terminal. Nearby hotels like El Mirador, 2 kilometres away, serve layovers.
On-time performance is generally reliable, supported by a 3,400-metre runway, but peak congestion and additional security can cause delays. Connections within the single terminal are swift, taking 15-30 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen transfers and up to 45 minutes for non-Schengen, with a minimum two-hour layover advised for self-transfers.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from the Main Terminal at Fuerteventura Airport for flights to Dublin. Check-in desks are typically in the Check-in Area (desks 1–20 range), but assignments vary due to the airport’s small size. Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. Online check-in is available 30 hours to 4.5 hours prior.
Departures are usually from Gates 1–10. Specific gates are assigned close to departure and displayed on airport screens.
Ryanair
Ryanair check-in is in the main terminal, check-in hall (dynamic desks 1-15; self-service kiosks available). Bag drop opens 2 hours prior. Departures are most commonly from gates 1-10 (non-Schengen area; dynamic, shown on screens ~30-45 minutes before departure). Flights to Ireland (Dublin) typically depart from international gates (gates 1–10). Gates are assigned dynamically and shown on departure boards.
