SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30 Aug. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Vice President and Minister of Tourism for the Cabildo of Tenerife, Lope Afonso, has downplayed the impact of Ryanair’s announcement to withdraw one million seats from the market for next summer in Spain. He noted that this will primarily affect regional airports rather than more traditional destinations like the Canary Islands.
“It shouldn’t drastically affect the destination,” he stated in comments to Europa Press. Nonetheless, he emphasised the need for caution until the airline officially communicates its measures next Wednesday.
Afonso acknowledged that “it is not good news to have instability in terms of air connectivity” and understands that the proposed cuts by the Irish airline are a “consequence of the increase in Aena’s fees.”
This measure, he pointed out, has already been criticised by the island corporation for being adopted unilaterally without taking into account the specific situation of destinations like the Canary Islands, which are significantly reliant on air connectivity due to their remoteness.
In fact, a motion against the fee increase was approved at the last full council meeting before the summer holidays.
However, he clarified that given the expected “strong demand” for the archipelago this winter, which is traditionally a peak season, it “doesn’t seem logical” that it would have a substantial impact.
“It does not appear to be a measure that is, at first glance, concerning, but we will have to wait for what the company announces next Wednesday,” he added.
