Over six million British tourists visited the Canary Islands in 2024 alone, making the UK the archipelago's single biggest source of international visitors. While London airports have traditionally handled the bulk of those flights, regional airports have grown fast to meet local demand.

Birmingham Airport has positioned itself at the centre of this for travellers across the Midlands and surrounding counties, with record passenger numbers and a growing list of direct routes to the islands.

Direct Routes and Airline Competition

A big part of Birmingham's growth is the range of direct flights now running year-round. Jet2, TUI, Ryanair and easyJet all operate regular services to the Canary Islands out of BHX, with easyJet launching direct Gran Canaria flights from May 2025 and adding a new year-round Lanzarote route that October. Between them, these airlines run dozens of weekly departures across the four main islands.

Tenerife leads the departure board, followed by Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Direct flight times run at around four and a half hours, which still makes short four or five-night breaks just as viable as a full fortnight in the sun. Winter demand is particularly strong, as the Canaries offer temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s while much of the UK sits under cloud.

The airport has also invested heavily in handling capacity. A new £50 million security hall opened in 2024, and further upgrades to baggage systems and terminal facilities are part of a wider £300 million investment programme running through to 2029. The goal is to take the airport from around 13 million passengers a year to 18 million by 2033.

Why Location Matters

Birmingham Airport sits within a 90-minute drive for over 13 million people, and around 35 million are within two hours by road or rail. That catchment covers the West Midlands, East Midlands, parts of Wales and into South Yorkshire. For a huge number of holidaymakers, flying from BHX will save hours of driving down the M1 or M40 to reach a London airport.

Cutting out that long motorway drive before a flight makes the whole trip easier, and it tends to be cheaper too. Less driving means less spent on airport parking or overnight hotel stays before early departures. That combination of frequent flights and easy access has built a loyal base of repeat travellers who see no reason to head south to London when their local airport covers the same destinations.

Getting to the Airport

Reaching BHX is easy thanks to its position near key road and rail links. Passengers coming from across the Midlands, the East Midlands or down from Yorkshire will often find that getting to Birmingham by train drops them straight at Birmingham International station, cutting out the motorway drive entirely.

From there, passengers step onto the free Air-Rail Link. This automated, cable-hauled people mover runs along an elevated track and drops you at the upper level of the terminal in around 90 seconds. During busy periods it runs continuously, and at quieter times it operates on demand via call buttons on the platform. There's no shuttle bus to wait for and no long walk between the station and check-in.

That quick, step-free connection from the train platform to the terminal is one of BHX's strongest advantages over other regional airports. It makes rail a genuinely convenient option, especially for anyone who'd rather not drive.

Year-Round Flights to Year-Round Sun

The steady expansion of Canary Islands routes from Birmingham reflects how British tourists are now booking holidays. With frequent flights, strong competition between airlines, and a £300 million upgrade programme underway, BHX has locked in its position as a leading departure point for the islands.

For anyone planning a trip to Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote, flying from the Midlands is now one of the simplest options available. Checking the BHX schedule before booking will often save you both travel time and money on your next trip south.