Canary Islands wants to be exempt from all air taxes on its flights

The Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jessica de León, assured this Tuesday that the Autonomous Executive will insist before the Ministry of Transport and before Brussels to "exempt" the Canary Islands "from all taxes that affect connectivity" with the outside.

In this sense, and as advanced by de León during the plenary session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, she has contacted the management of AENA in order to prevent the 4.9% increase in airport fees from being applied in the Canary Islands.

"AENA's decision has not only the frontal rejection of the Canary Islands Government but also of the island councils, municipalities, tourism sector and the Parliament of the Canary Islands", recalled the Minister, who insisted that the fees in the Canary Islands should remain frozen until 2026.

De León recalled that the Canary Islands is an outermost region (OR), "an isolated territory that cannot be treated the same as the network of airports in the national territory", which is what the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands establishes and what the Statute of Autonomy affirms, she delved.

The Minister pointed out that flights have become 25% more expensive while tourist packages have done so by 30%, which is added to the fact that on January 1, the emission rights will come into force, a measure that in her opinion caught the previous Government "off guard".

"We are going to fight against all these taxes that come since we assume the presidency of the ORs to make a common front. Everything that taxes connectivity affects tourist connectivity and isolates us from the continent", concluded the regional head.

The PP deputy who formulated the question, Carlos Ester, said that the increase in fees foreseen by AENA will mean that the rate reaches about 10.35 euros per journey and tourist, "which will affect the Canary Islands as a destination and the price of tickets".

"If we add the current increase in costs in tickets, it will affect the tourist areas and subtract competitiveness with other countries and destinations", said Ester, who has accused the central Government of showing "negligence and apathy" with the Canary Islands.

In his opinion, there is a "socialist obsession" to raise taxes, impose new taxes "and punish the pockets of citizens", he concluded.