TUI in the UK and Ireland wants to see greater relationships with independent agents following the operator's investment in its sales team. To do this, it will increase sales commissions. This may benefit incoming companies in the south of Gran Canaria. On the other hand, the Spanish low-cost airline Vueling has exceeded 2019 capacity levels with its summer schedule, which includes its direct connections from the United Kingdom to Gran Canaria for tourists going to the south of the island.
The Gatwick-Alicante service has been expanded and now has three weekly frequencies on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Gatwick services to Gran Canaria launched ahead of Christmas 2022. The summer schedule features two weekly flights (Monday and Friday) to Gran Canaria. The IAG subsidiary predicts growth this year will be 9% higher than in 2019, as demand increases and it aims to offer more flights throughout the year. Vueling is already the largest airline outside the UK connecting the UK and Ireland to Gran Canaria, as well as being the second largest operator between Gatwick and Gran Canaria.
The Canary Islands have positioned themselves as the third main destination in the month of April, receiving 16 percent of the total international tourists arriving in Spain, which in absolute figures was almost 1,2 million visitors (+4,5 % than in April 2022). In addition, tourist spending has increased by 4,8 percent in the Canary Islands, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
