Lope Afonso, the Vice President and Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo de Tenerife, stated on Wednesday that the 400,000 seat cut in Canary Islands announced by Ryanair is not considered serious for the tourism sector. However, it will impact the mobility of residents due to the cancellation of services from Tenerife Norte airport, which connected the island to the mainland.

Concerns Over Impact

During a press conference to discuss the outcomes of the Government Council, Afonso remarked that it is still “premature” to determine the real impact of the airline’s adjustment plan. However, he believes it does not represent a significant loss of priority for the winter campaign, as around 130,000 seats are already allocated for travel from October to March.

Potential Affects on Other Airports

He noted, “The announcement that around 400,000 seats may be affected in the Canary Islands necessitates verifying whether other airports besides Tenerife Norte are impacted.”

Criticism of Aena’s Fee Increases

Afonso has condemned the “unilateral” increase in fees announced by Aena, which has prompted Ryanair’s reaction. He reminded those present that the Cabildo’s General Assembly had already taken a stance against this before the summer break.

Wider Implications for Residents

Despite acknowledging “the manner in which Ryanair typically approaches its commercial relationships with public administrations“, he emphasised that “any decision reverberates in the market, and in this case, it is Canarian residents who may suffer the most,” as the connectivity is particularly “fragile” in an isolated location like the Canary Islands.

Collaboration with Other Airlines

Nonetheless, Afonso announced that efforts will be made in collaboration with Turismo de Tenerife to ensure that airlines currently operating on the affected routes can fill the gap left by Ryanair.