The general director of Transport and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands, María Fernández, has expressed her concern about the increase of more than 6% in airport fees, which has been approved by the Board of Directors of Aena this Tuesday. A measure that has been known by the Autonomous Community through the media and that "will have a great impact" on the air connectivity of the Archipelago.
In this line, María Fernández has denounced the lack of participation of the Government of the Canary Islands in decisions that directly affect the territory, recalling that the Statute of Autonomy already contemplates the necessary regulatory development so that the Autonomous Community "has a voice and vote" in procedures that affect its connectivity.
“An ultra-peripheral territory like ours cannot find out through the press about decisions that could put air routes at risk and the presence of airlines in our islands. We are talking about a key element for social cohesion, economic activity and tourism in the Canary Islands”, Fernández pointed out.
Likewise, she recalled that the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) of the Canary Islands establishes the need to subsidize this type of fee in ultra-peripheral territories, precisely to compensate for their remoteness and dependence on air transport. “You cannot treat those who are different the same. It is essential to adapt regulatory tools to protect the connectivity of an island and remote territory such as the Canary Islands”, they added.
The general director has insisted on the need to be taken into account in strategic decision-making that affects mobility and has demanded that any modification in airport fees take into account the uniqueness of the Canary Islands and adjust to the legal framework that protects the outermost regions.
