Lanzarote is not in a position to reject anything that can give some hope to the battered island economy, and this is reflected in the satisfaction, and also in the resignation, with which some and others have accepted the extension of the hours ...
Lanzarote is not in a position to reject anything that can give some hope to the battered island economy, and this is reflected in the satisfaction, and also in the resignation, with which some and others have accepted the extension of the hours of the Guacimeta airport. Parties such as Coalición Canaria and the PP have openly expressed their support for this measure, and so has the Cabildo, while the municipalities directly involved, such as San Bartolomé and Tías, have ended up accepting this decision, although raising demands, such as the preparation of a noise map in the area and the adoption of measures to soundproof those homes that may be most affected.
However, all this does not exempt Aena from the shameful role it is playing with the island of Lanzarote. And it is that although business organizations are throwing rockets for this news, it is unacceptable how it has occurred, and the lack of respect that this entity dependent on the Ministry of Development shows again with the island.
It is true that at the end of last November, the president of Aena already sent a letter to the president of the Cabildo, Pedro San Ginés, explaining, among other issues planned for the airport, the possibility that was being studied of delaying the closing time of the Lanzarote airport. However, Mr. San Ginés did not consider it appropriate to share this information with the citizens of this island. Not even with the municipalities involved.
In fact, the mayors of Tías and San Bartolomé, despite having the same political sign as the central government, have learned of this news through the fait accompli. Last week, before anything about this matter became public, lavozdelanzarote.com advanced the news: "Ryanair is selling flights that would force the Lanzarote airport to open at dawn." That is to say, the airline already had information that the municipalities involved and the citizens of this island were unaware of. Only the president of the Cabildo had been given something in advance, but apparently, he limited himself to passing it on to business associations, such as Asolan, but not to public opinion.
To make matters worse, when the digital edition of La Voz published this news, and contacted Aena to confirm whether the hours were really going to be extended, it received no response for days. The press office stalled for almost a week, claiming that they were still trying to confirm it "with Madrid". Probably, next time it will be better to resort to the Ryanair press office to ask for information about what is going to be done at the Lanzarote airport. And it seems that this company handles more information from Guacimeta than Aena's own staff.
Finally, this Monday they ended up admitting what was obvious, with a brief press release in which they "sold" this change as positive, stating that it "contributes to promoting Lanzarote as a tourist destination and facilitates the opening of new routes".
Reading that statement, it is inevitable to ask: if everything is so positive, why did they insist on hiding it until that moment? Or is it simply that they consider that they can do as they please on this island, without even bothering to notify it. That they can have a director in Lanzarote who hides from the media, especially every time there is a problem, such as the one generated in the months of November and December, with dozens of canceled flights that left millionaire losses for the island.
Beyond the discomfort that the extension of the hours may generate in the residents of the towns closest to Guacimeta, the reality is that Lanzarote needs to have a competitive airport. But in the face of the speed and secrecy with which this decision has been adopted by Aena, the passivity it shows in contrast with other needs of Guacimeta, demanded for years, such as the extension of the runway, is surprising and outrageous. Or the incompetence it has demonstrated in modifying the approach and landing system, generating an authentic chaos of diversions and cancellations in the last two months, which they now assure will be resolved "shortly".
The president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Paulino Rivero, said this week that Lanzarote cannot complain about the role that Aena has played, because until now the island has dedicated itself to "putting obstacles" and "not letting it work". And of course, as happens with so many other investments that should come from Fomento, from the central government and from the regional government, he has a good part of the reason.
However, what happened with the extension of the hours shows that if it really wants to, Aena will do whatever it wants. But of course, one thing is to open the airport more hours, with the benefits it will obtain in return, and another is to invest millionaire sums, such as those demanded to adapt our airport. There, it is much better to cling to the excuse that there is no consensus in Lanzarote.
