the AVE has since been joined by private competitors Ouigo España and Iryo. The AVE connects the following cities: Madrid – Valencia Barcelona – Madrid Sevilla – Madrid Ciudad Real – Madrid Tarragona – Madrid Valladolid – Madrid Madrid – Toledo Madrid – Cordoba Madrid – Elche Since the high-speed route between Barcelona to Madrid was launched in 2008, 75% of travelers now choose the train over the airplane, with flight passengers accounting for 25% of travelers. Road system Total: 681,298 km (2008) Expressways: 17,228 km (2018) Highways in Spain are divided into "autopista"s and "autovía"s, the former being controlled-access highways. As of 2019, Spain had 12,255 km of roads designated as part of the European comprehensive TEN-T network, of which 10,932 km are motorways. Bridges accounted for 220 km (2.1%) of this network and tunnels for a further 86 km (0.8%). Waterways There are 1,045 km of waterways, but they have minor economic importance. Pipelines Gas: 7,962 km Oil: 622 km; Refined products: 3,447 km (2006) Ports and harbors The most important ports and harbours are Algeciras, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Las Palmas. Other major ports and harbours include Alicante, Almería, Cádiz, Cartagena, A Coruña, Ceuta, Huelva, Málaga, Melilla, Gijón, Palma de Mallorca, Sagunto, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Los Cristianos (Tenerife), Santander, Tarragona, Vigo, Motril, Seville, Castellón de la Plana, Pasaia, Avilés, and Ferrol. Merchant marine Total: 169 ships (1000 GT or over) 1,902,839 GT/ Ships by type (2006): Bulk carrier: 9 Cargo: 13 Chemical tanker: 14 Container: 27 Liquefied gas: 9 Passenger: 1 Passenger/cargo: 49 Petroleum tanker: 15 Refrigerated cargo: 5 Roll on/roll off: 20 Specialized tanker: 2 Vehicle carrier: 5 Air transport Domestic air transport is in fierce competition with the AVE. For example, the Madrid-Barcelona route was Europe's busiest air route prior to the opening of a high speed rail line in this corridor. Air traffic is also the main mode of transport linking the Balearic and Canary Islands to the mainland. Airports – with paved runways Total: 96 (2006 est.) 10,000 ft (3,048 m) and over: 16 8,000 to 9,999 ft (2,438 to 3,047 m): 10 5,000 to 7,999 ft (1,524 to 2,437 m): 20 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,523 m): 24 under 3,000 ft (914 m): 26 Main airports are Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Gran Canaria, Alicante, and Tenerife South. Airports – with unpaved runways Total: 61 (2006 est.) 5,000