British Airways will begin operating a direct route between Fuerteventura and London Heathrow airport on December 13, with two weekly flights until April 2027.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura announced on Monday that British Airways will connect the island with London Heathrow airport starting December 13. This marks the first time Fuerteventura has a direct flight to Terminal 5 at Heathrow, one of Europe’s main international connection hubs.
The route will operate on Thursdays and Sundays and will be available until April 11, 2027. British Airways thus replaces the connection it previously maintained with Gatwick airport, also in the British capital.
The Cabildo's Tourism Councillor, Marlene Figueroa, has described the new route as “a qualitative leap” for the island, as operating from Heathrow not only improves connectivity but also places Fuerteventura within reach of travellers from around the world who make stopovers in London. Figueroa emphasized that British Airways' commitment strengthens the island's positioning as a key destination in the European market.
The British market remains the main source of tourists to Fuerteventura. According to data from Aena collected by the Insular Tourism Board, the island received 418,546 passengers from the UK in the first six months of 2026, an increase of 1.43% compared to the same period the previous year.
The new connection with Heathrow represents a significant boost for tourism in Fuerteventura, as it allows British travellers to reach the island directly from the UK's most important airport, with connections to numerous international destinations. For residents of Fuerteventura, the route also facilitates travel to London and other points in Europe and the world through Heathrow connections.
The Cabildo is confident that this new route will help maintain the growth of British tourism, which has already shown an upward trend this year. Councillor Figueroa highlighted that British Airways' decision demonstrates airlines' confidence in Fuerteventura's tourism potential.
British Airways will operate the route with narrow-body aircraft, capable of carrying around 180 passengers, although the airline has not yet confirmed the specific model. Tickets are already on sale on the airline's website and through travel agencies.
The connection with Heathrow adds to other international routes already operating at Fuerteventura airport, such as those linking the island with various German, French, and Scandinavian cities. However, the British market accounts for approximately one-third of the total tourists the island receives, making the new route strategic.
The president of the Cabildo, Sergio Lloret, expressed his satisfaction with the announcement and assured that the institution will continue working to improve the island's air connectivity. “Heathrow is the gateway to London and the world, and having a direct flight is an opportunity we must seize,” he stated.
The route will be operational throughout the winter season, which is the peak time for British tourists in the Canary Islands. High occupancy is expected for the connection, especially during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
Hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in Fuerteventura have welcomed the news with optimism. The Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs of Fuerteventura (AET) has noted that the new route will help diversify the market and reduce dependence on other British airports such as Gatwick or Stansted.
For travellers, the connection with Heathrow offers additional advantages, such as the opportunity to shop duty-free at Terminal 5 and access to the numerous long-haul connections offered by the London airport. Additionally, Heathrow is well connected to central London via the underground (Piccadilly Line) and the Heathrow Express.
The launch of this route marks a new milestone in the history of aviation in Fuerteventura, which in recent years has seen an increase in its direct flight offerings with the UK and other European countries. British Airways' commitment to Heathrow reinforces the positive trend in tourism on the island.
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