Subsidy Delays Threaten Canary Islands Air Connectivity
Sandra Hors, Director of Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Sustainability at Vueling, issued a stark warning this Thursday: delays by the Spanish government in reimbursing airlines for the resident travel discount are putting air connectivity with the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla at risk. During a press conference, Hors explained that airlines have been suffering payment delays for “months,” forcing them to cover accumulated costs that should be borne by the state.
How the Resident Discount Works
“If I decide to operate a flight to the Canaries instead of to Bilbao, the passenger only pays a portion of the fare, and the rest is supposed to be paid by the government,” Hors stated, referring to the 75% discount on air and sea transport for residents of non-mainland territories. She emphasized the urgent need to find a more agile and effective solution with the government to prevent this situation from recurring, which ultimately affects route planning and the resident passengers themselves. These travelers depend on this mechanism to maintain equal mobility conditions with mainland Spain.
A Matter of Territorial Cohesion
Hors further stressed that the resident discount is an established right that guarantees territorial cohesion and should not be compromised by administrative delays. “This is not just an airline issue; it is a matter of connectivity and fairness for thousands of citizens,” she underscored.
Vueling’s Record Winter Operation
Despite these challenges, the low-cost airline Vueling, part of the IAG group, has scheduled a record 2 million seats for the winter season in the Canary Islands. This represents a 6 percent growth, which the airline describes as a “record operation” for the archipelago.
Detailed Route Expansion
This winter, Vueling is offering 32 routes from the Canary Islands, including 4 international and 28 domestic routes, solidifying its position as the leading operator in the market between the islands and the Spanish mainland.
The airline’s expansion is detailed across the islands:
In Tenerife, a base with three aircraft, capacity has been increased by 11% for the winter season. A total of 900,000 seats are offered to ten destinations, making this the period with the highest number of seats ever for the airline on the island.
In Gran Canaria, also with a three-aircraft base, Vueling claims to be the top operator on routes to the mainland, with 715,000 seats scheduled to nine destinations.
The airline also operates from Lanzarote with 230,000 seats to six destinations; from Fuerteventura with 175,000 seats to six destinations; and from La Palma with 10,000 seats to Barcelona.
Filling the Gap Left by Competitors
Vueling’s schedule announcement comes after Ryanair revealed it will cease flights from Tenerife North Airport starting in the winter of 2025, cancelling 36 direct connections with mainland Spain. Flights from Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote will also be affected.
In response to this market shift, Sandra Hors noted that Vueling is aware of the existing demand. The company studies how to fill potential “gaps,” such as those at Tenerife North, where she stated Vueling is already the leading carrier.
