What a stir is being created with the 75% discount on tickets between the Canary Islands and the Peninsula. Apparently, Nueva Canarias and the Popular Party sold the idea very well but "they forgot" to specify the execution deadlines of the agreement, or at least that is what the socialists say. And Coalición Canaria, through an overacted Mrs. Oramas, thinks that this is a "vital issue" for the Canarians.
Of course, it is necessary that it is cheaper for people residing in the Canary Islands to travel, both between the islands and to or from the Peninsula. That admits no doubt, but let's reflect a little on some issues.
The airlines do not lose a penny. Airport fees have no discount, so AENA will charge the same. So the discount on the price of tickets is paid by all the taxpayers of the Spanish State. And this is where doubts arise (for me). Is it really a "vital issue" and a "right" for Canarians or is it rather a populist and demagogic measure? The coffee for everyone formula is never usually the most equitable.
The Canary Islands holds the worst positions in the State in rights such as Health and Education, while it is in the first of the worst salaries and the highest rates of poverty of its citizens. Mrs. Oramas, deputy of the same party that governs the Canary Islands, should be told that these are vital issues for Canarians.
You, ordinary citizen, ask yourself how many times you travel to the Peninsula a year and what are the reasons why you do it. I imagine that most of the people who can still do it, go a couple of times a year. It is clear that there are exceptions, such as students, family or illness reasons (Oh, the Canarian Health!). And now ask yourself how many times the executives or commercials of large companies, public officials or the politicians themselves who claim to defend the "rights of the Canarians" travel.
Do all Canarians have the same economic possibilities to travel? Wouldn't it be better to regulate some issues, such as agreeing that there is a limit of trips per person per year to which access to the 75% discount would be granted and that the rest of the trips continue to be paid 50% as until now, except for students and other reasons of first necessity? Does it make sense that, for example, we all pay the discount of a bank executive who travels to the peninsula every week? Shouldn't your company pay 100%?
The reality is that we all pay the difference in the price of flights regardless of the reason for them and the economic capacity of the users, only that with the 75% discount we will still pay more money to mainly benefit those who have greater purchasing power and who will now be able to travel more times paying less.
José Antonio González.
