Urgent Call for Action: Ensuring Airline Payments to Safeguard Connectivity in the Canary Islands

The Popular Parliamentary Group is making a strong case for immediate action to address the significant outstanding payments owed to airlines, which are vital for maintaining air connectivity in the Canary Islands. This initiative comes at a critical time when the region’s transportation infrastructure is under threat due to financial mismanagement.

Proposed Measures to Secure Timely Payments

In an upcoming plenary session of the Canary Islands Parliament, Jennifer Curbelo, a prominent representative of the Popular Parliamentary Group, is set to present a Non-Legislative Proposal (PNL). This proposal demands that the government led by Pedro Sánchez take swift action to settle the debts owed to airlines regarding the 75% resident discount. Additionally, the proposal calls for the establishment of a reliable payment system that guarantees payments are processed within a maximum of 90 days, a standard practice that has unfortunately fallen by the wayside in recent years.

Concerns Over Deteriorating Air Connectivity

Curbelo has voiced serious concerns about the air connectivity of the Canary Islands, highlighting that it is increasingly jeopardized by the accumulation of unpaid debts from the current government. The Airlines Association (ALA) has reported that airlines are feeling the strain of these delays, which could lead to significant reductions in flight routes and frequencies. Such a situation would have dire consequences for both residents and the economy of the islands.

“We are facing a situation that directly affects mobility and territorial cohesion,” Curbelo emphasized. She pointed out that air travel is not just a convenience for residents of the Canary Islands; it is the primary means of inter-island transportation and the only link to the mainland. The implications of losing this connectivity could be catastrophic for the region.

As of early 2025, the total debt owed by the central government to airlines has surpassed an alarming one billion euros, according to ALA. This financial burden poses a significant threat to the viability of air services in the region, which are essential for both daily life and tourism.

Advocating for Structural Reforms and Fairness

In her remarks, Curbelo also reminded the public that the Popular Party had previously proposed an amendment aimed at reforming the Law on Air Navigation and Air Safety. This amendment sought to increase subsidies to airlines to €1.2 billion to ensure the sustainability of the resident discount. However, this proposal was rejected by Sánchez’s administration, leaving many residents and stakeholders frustrated.

While the central government has announced a recent allocation of €720 million for flight subsidies to the archipelagos and autonomous cities, Curbelo insists that the underlying issues remain unresolved. She warns that without reforming the payment mechanism and establishing a stable system, the risk of unpaid debts will persist, potentially isolating the Canary Islands further from the mainland and exacerbating existing inequalities.

The MP argues that failing to guarantee the 75% discount and connectivity for the Canary Islands undermines the principle of equality. Residents of the archipelago rely heavily on air transport and would be at a disadvantage compared to other regions of Spain that have access to alternative transport options. This disparity raises concerns about fairness and equitable treatment for all Spanish citizens.

In light of these challenges, Curbelo and the Popular Parliamentary Group are resolute in their mission to ensure that the Canary Islands are not treated as a second-class region. They are demanding that Sánchez’s government fulfill its economic and regulatory obligations to the islands, which are integral to Spain’s overall connectivity and cohesion.

In addition to the call for immediate payments to airlines, the PNL aims to compel the Spanish government to implement a stable and efficient management system for subsidies, ensuring that payments are processed within the previously established timeframe of 90 days. This measure is crucial for restoring trust and reliability in the system.

“The Canary Islands cannot afford to lose connectivity or competitiveness due to poor management by the Spanish Government. Defending the resident discount means defending equality and territorial cohesion,” Curbelo concluded, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.

Key points

• The Popular Parliamentary Group is advocating for the immediate payment of outstanding debts to airlines.
• Jennifer Curbelo will present a Non-Legislative Proposal during the Canary Islands Parliament session.
• The proposal seeks to establish a payment system ensuring payments are made within 90 days.
• Airlines are reportedly facing financial strain due to delayed payments from the government.
• The total debt owed to airlines by the central government has exceeded one billion euros.
• Curbelo emphasizes the importance of air connectivity for residents of the Canary Islands.
• The proposal aims to prevent the Canary Islands from being treated as a second-class region.