Uncertainty Rises in the Canary Islands as Ryanair Cuts Flights

The reduction of flights announced by Ryanair for this winter, along with its withdrawal from one of the most important airports in the Archipelago, Tenerife North, has created uncertainty across the islands. As explained by María Fernández, the Director General of Transport for the Canary Government, in an interview with RTVC, there are no guarantees that the 400,000 vacant seats can be filled. She also indicated that flight prices to the mainland might increase.

Concerns Over Passenger Impact

“We are concerned that half a million seats will disappear during the peak travel season, which directly affects residents and students returning to the islands, as well as separated families,” Fernández stated.

Ticket Prices and Availability

The reduction in available seats impacts not only the availability of flights but also the cost of tickets. “We do not know if these seats can be recovered during the Christmas period, which tends to pressure the prices and connectivity of the entire autonomous community,” added the Transport official.

This decision comes despite the fact that the Canary Islands are one of the most profitable destinations for the airline, which is why they had previously avoided flight reductions during the summer. In the case of Tenerife, the announcement means the elimination of all routes that the low-cost airline operated from Los Rodeos.

Background to the Dispute

The origins of the dispute date back to February 2024, when the National Commission on Markets and Competition approved a 4.09% increase in airport tariffs for Aena. Although in December that same year it was decided to freeze these tariffs for 2025, tensions resurfaced in July this year when Aena approved a 6.5% increase starting in 2026, citing the need to finance multi-million euro investments in Barajas, El Prat, and other infrastructures.