Hotel associations and investment committees in southern Gran Canaria are cautiously optimistic about the final flight schedule figures for the 2026 summer season . The consolidated inventory of regular seats reveals a significant shift in the origin of tourist arrivals to Gando Airport , registering an overall increase of 4,9% to reach a record high of 3.770.048 inbound seats . This boost in connectivity adds 176.620 seats compared to the previous summer , guaranteeing high occupancy rates in the resort areas of Playa del Inglés , San Agustín , and Meloneras , at a crucial time for the region's macroeconomic stability.
The biggest surprise in air travel planning lies in the extraordinary performance of the Nordic markets , traditionally associated with the cold winter months, which have emerged this summer as a strategic pillar of support. Denmark is leading this structural shift with a vertical growth of 113,1% , doubling its capacity to 45.854 seats, followed by Norway , which is expanding its operations by 82,5%, contributing 88.898 seats to the destination. Sweden (44,1%) and Finland (23,4%) are consolidating this high-spending Scandinavian bloc, adding more than 32.000 new seats that will transform the profile of the summer visitor to the resorts on the southern coast.
This massive offensive from the north of the continent and the advance of the British market—which has consolidated its position as the absolute leader, growing by 6,7% and approaching 770.000 seats—are acting as a financial shield against the severe collapse of the German outbound market. Germany , historically considered the economic engine of tour operations in Maspalomas, is suffering a worrying contraction of 7,5%, representing a net loss of 34.115 regular seats during the summer. This drop, coupled with the 26,8% collapse experienced by the Italian market, is forcing hotel chains to urgently refocus their marketing strategies on the Benelux countries and France, the latter booming with 57,3% growth and more than 90.000 seats scheduled.
The strength of connectivity is reinforced by the contribution of the Spanish mainland market, which is growing by 4,0% and will provide 1.543.130 seats, guaranteeing a highly loyal domestic demand base during weekends and the peak of the August holidays. Industry analysts interpret that, despite the declines recorded in Central European markets, the diversification of air routes safeguards the profitability of local tourism businesses. The immediate challenge for the administrations of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán will be to adapt the complementary offerings of restaurants, leisure activities, and public transport to this new multilingual reality that will define the tourism landscape of the southern part of the island in 2026.
