Canary Islands call for 24 new routes
Maximum budget for each route is listed above.
The Canary Islands have launched a route incentive package calling for 24 new routes, via the Flight Development Fund (FDF), with the intention of improving the air connectivity of the islands and boosting the diversity of its tourism markets and clients.
The total maximum budget for the call is of 3.7 million euros.
The routes open for proposals aim to connect the islands with markets like Switzerland (1), Poland (2), France (5), United States (1), Germany (1), Slovakia (1), Italy (2), Portugal (2), Austria (2), Iceland (1), The Netherlands (1), Ireland (1), Finland (1), Latvia (1), Romania (1), and Bulgaria (1).
These routes were selected after an analysis of strategic interest, potential viability, and a lack of existing connectivity.
“We hope that the incentives act as a final push for airlines that are considering a wide range of options that may already include Canary Islands destinations”.
The Flight Development Fund was approved in April 2014 after an intense period of negotiation between the Canary Islands Government and the European Commission. The result included modifications to the European Aviation Guidelines granting important exemptions to the Canary Islands due to their position as an ultra peripheral region of Europe.
The changes allow the Canary Islands to offer incentives for the start-up new air routes and grant an important concession removing the limit on the maximum number of passengers using Canarian airports.
Since its inception, the Fund has incentivized the launch of 18 new routes of high interest to the Canary Islands.
The Flight Development Fund is just part of the effort that Canary Islands Tourist Board (Promotur) makes to improve air connectivity to the Canaries. It also includes attending international aviation events and constant dialogue with airlines aimed at keeping them informed about the destination.
Promotur puts its Brand Centre at the disposal of airlines, with a huge range of promotional material and resources available for use, and carries out inspiring marketing actions aimed at boosting interest amongst the audience in regions with direct flights to the Canary Islands.
Furthermore, there is constant communication with AENA and the Spanish Government aimed at obtaining more competitive taxes for Canarian airports to offset the extra cost associated with the geographical distance and fragmentation of the islands.
More information:
http://turismodeislascanarias.com/en/flight-development-fund