The business and social sectors of the Canary Islands have unanimously rejected the 4.1% increase in airport taxes recently announced by AENA. President of The Island Council of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, stated that implementing this hike would come at the expense of the sector’s competitiveness and the region’s status as a tourist destination, as AENA, she pointed out, has already doubled its profits in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, reaching 607 million euros from 277 million euros.
Dávila emphasized that this decision is a significant setback for the tourism industry in the Canary Islands, especially in Tenerife, which hosts approximately five million visitors each year. The timing of this increase during a period of economic uncertainty in Europe, the primary source of tourists, would inevitably lead to higher airline ticket prices, significantly impacting the Islands’ main economic sector.
Calling for greater autonomy and participation in AENA’s decision-making process, Dávila demanded the transfer of powers that allow the Canary Islands to have a say in the company’s board of directors, taking into account the unique characteristics of the Islands.
Vice-President and Minister for Tourism, Lope Afonso, criticized the measure as hasty and unfair, expressing concerns about its potential negative effects on the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector. Afonso warned that it could hinder the reactivation of the industry and prevent the Canary Islands from becoming a high-quality tourist destination with better economic outcomes. He also feared a decline in tourist visits to the Islands and reduced employment opportunities for the winter season.
The Círculo de Empresarios y Profesionales del Sur de Tenerife (CEST) also condemned the increase, viewing it as a new speculative move by AENA that undermines the post-pandemic recovery of the tourist sector. CEST President, Javier Cabrera, believed that this tax hike would inevitably lead to higher ticket prices, placing a burden on travelers’ wallets. He criticized AENA’s approach, pointing out that despite some of the Islands’ airports being among the most profitable in Spain, the company’s focus on collecting revenue seems to neglect the future of the Canary Islanders.
David Toledo, the National Secretary of Organization for CC, stated that if this increase were to be applied nationwide in Spain, the current PSOE-Unidas Podemos government would be prioritizing AENA’s interests over the competitiveness of the Canary Islands.
