The Canary Islands Government and the Spanish Government have established a new Airport Bilateral Body as part of efforts to negotiate the management of the archipelago’s airports. This decision marks the beginning of negotiations aimed at reaching a definitive agreement as soon as possible.
Nieves Lady Barreto, the regional minister for the Presidency, Public Administration, Justice, and Security, described the meeting as productive. She viewed the Spanish Government’s proposal as a “good starting point” for the negotiations. The Canary Islands representatives committed to providing feedback on the draft document presented by the state in the coming weeks, aiming for an agreement that satisfies both parties.
Barreto highlighted that their contributions are based on Article 161 of the Statute of Autonomy, which allows the regional government to participate in the planning and management of key ports and airports, vital for the island’s connectivity as an outermost region. This article also enables the Canary Islands to influence decisions regarding airport fees and public charges.
The meeting also discussed the state’s proposal for the Canary Islands to take full management responsibility for two airports and nine heliports. The airports involved are Antigua in Fuerteventura and El Berriel in Gran Canaria, alongside various heliports in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, including the Insular University Hospital and the port of Las Palmas. Barreto noted that this agreement is well-defined and will be finalised in a technical meeting next week between the Ministry of Transport and the Canary Islands’ Public Works Ministry.
Both governments set a timeline for making technical adjustments to the initial draft, intending to align their progress with plans for the overall management of major airports. The meeting featured key representatives from both sides, including vice-councillors and secretaries of state. The negotiations began in January when the Canary Islands Government sought talks for shared management of the islands’ airports, a long-standing demand now moving towards practical implementation.
