Aena's board of directors has approved a fare proposal applicable as of March 1, 2025 that implies an update of five cents per passenger. The maximum adjusted annual income per tourist coming to the south of Gran Canaria on vacation (IMAAJ) will be 10,40 euros per passenger. As always, the Gran Canaria Airport, owned by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria although not recognized by the State, will continue to be the extractive plant with which to finance the loss-making operations of the Aena network.
The airlines reject new fare increases and warn that they could affect their possible future investments. The ALA employers' association considers that the fare increase is a wrong decision considering that airlines are still recovering from the effects of the coronavirus. In his opinion, the increase will cause an increase in ticket prices, which may affect traffic and, by extension, tourism.
It will be the second consecutive year of rate increases after remaining frozen for a decade. The proposed increase for 2025 is lower than the 4,09% increase that airlines have had to face in 2024.
The update of airport rates is carried out based on elements such as personnel costs (including their 3,5% salary increase) as well as a large part of the services provided at their facilities: air navigation, security, conservation, cleaning, care for people with reduced mobility, energy or payment of taxes. The CNMC will be the one to give final approval to these rates, which would come into force on March 1, 2025, the last year in which Aena is prohibited by law from increases above 0% before adjustment for cost variations.
According to Aena, even with the increase, rates will continue to be the most competitive in Europe. In comparison with other European connection hubs, the prices for operating in Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat are up to 60% below the average fare offered in other airports such as London-Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Aena has reiterated on several occasions that the rates are lower than those of 2019.
