The North American company United Airlines announces the extension to the summer of next year of the regular direct flight between the Island and New York. It is the consequence of the renewal of the agreement signed with the Cabildo that allowed the connection for three months in the last summer campaign. A Boeing 757-200, as was the case then, will once again link the Tenerife South and Newark airports, in New Jersey, between June 8 and September 26, 2023.
The number of places offered to access these trips of approximately six and a half hours is 13,400, similar to that of the initial experience that began with a first flight on June 10 . The overall occupancy balance was very high, reaching 90%.
The council values the success as a result of the joint effort of the public institution and the private sector based on the commitment to a quality offer “that has led the destination to meet requirements that others do not have.”
The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, values that “the renewal is great news and demonstrates the resounding success of the initial experience last year.” He recalls the figure of more than 90% in the total occupancy of places.
It also highlights that the businessmen of the hotel sector, especially the five-star hotel that dominates the island, “have told me how important it is for them to renew the agreement and the direct route to the Big Apple.
Martin values that «United confirms its satisfaction at the time of the balance and renews the agreement that left the second year as optional». In this regard, the island president underlines that “we have tried, and continue to work hard on it, extend the agreement beyond the three summer months». It has not been possible, mainly due to two factors. On the one hand, the lack of pilots in all airlines, including United, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 that left a zero in transport and was the origin of the early retirement of many professionals. Martín emphasizes: “It is not easy to replace them and have a guarantee staff.” In addition, there have been some delays by the Airbus company when delivering devices to the company.
“We work hard so that the connection goes beyond the three summer months”
«A tourist niche»
Martín insists on an idea: «We advertised there, in the North American market, that there is a important tourist niche». That is the reason for the campaign that is currently being carried out, hand in hand with Turespaña, which has brought an island embassy to the city of Las Vegas headed by the CEO of Tenerife Tourism, David Pérez. Take part in the World Routes event, a meeting that brings together the most important airline companies and operators in the world.
Pedro Martín emphasizes: “Now we have to maintain the line of work to convince that there is enough supply and demand on the Island to expand the connection.” “At the moment an exciting path is opening up”, he concludes.
For her part, Laura Castro, island director of Tourism, expresses herself in similar terms: “We are very satisfied with the result of this experience”.
Castro points out that “the company wants to maintain its destiny and that is very important in a world in which results and market indices rule above all. The positive response to our initiative is evident.”
There is a piece of information provided by the island director: «The occupation of direct flights has been very high, almost 100%. It remains at 90% because there are customers who accumulated points on domestic flights in the United States and here they traveled for free as a reward. That is why the planes were always full, but not everyone paid the ticket.
“Americans are surprised by the good response from Canarian passengers”
Regarding possible special offers to encourage travel, Castro points out that “that corresponds to the company and I don’t know. They are usually very jealous of their campaigns.” The truth is that an offer was made last year of 385 euros each way and it literally flew, never better said. “It is likely that they will repeat,” reflects Castro.
Demand from the Island
There was some doubt at first about the demand from Tenerife. Castro clarifies: “The North Americans are very surprised by the response that the connection here had.” Not only from Tenerife but from other Canarians who They connected with the Tenerife South airport to take this direct flight. Like the president, he values that “hoteliers are also happy” because the American tourist has a clear profile of spending a lot in destination.
The renewed route will allow Tenerife to consolidate its presence in the North American market. During the last year, the Island has been promoted in the main cities of the United States, in addition to actively participating in the annual congress of tour operators of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).
The direct connection of Tenerife Sur with New York created expectations since its announcement at the beginning of this year and confirmed the previous interest of American tourists in the Canary Islands. That June 10 was a historic day because the Manhattan skyline landed at the Tenerife South airport. Will repeat next summer.
757
airplane model
- A 757 aircraft with capacity for 180 passengers, will take off again -according to forecasts- from Newark Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; Wednesday, Friday and Sunday it will do so from Tenerife South.
13,400
Plazas
- The offer will be similar to that of the first experience with a total of 13,400 places for three months. The forecast is once again more than 500 travelers in each direction per week.
