Binter has rolled out its largest schedule in its history for the summer season, announcing that it will operate one in five domestic flights to or from the Canary Islands. With 32 direct routes from 18 Spanish cities and a 38% increase in seat availability, the company is consolidating its position as a key player in the domestic airspace. But while it celebrates its expansion, questions arise: is this growth really good for tourism in the Canary Islands? Or is it relying too heavily on the financial shield of the resident discount?
A wider network, but with what objectives
Since the end of March, Binter has added eight new domestic routes, including direct connections from the Canary Islands to Córdoba, Badajoz, Almería, and Valencia. In some cases, such as Valencia, the frequency even exceeds 16 weekly flights. This move responds to a clear business logic: to diversify destinations and position itself as a leading airline between the Iberian Peninsula and the archipelago.
However, the reading is not unanimous. While this deployment improves direct flight options from more points in Spain to the Canary Islands—a valuable asset for domestic tourism—it also raises concerns about the sustainability of the model and its impact on connectivity for residents.
The resident discount as an incentive… or a hidden subsidy?
One of the key drivers behind this expansion is the 75% discount on airfare for Canary Island residents, funded by the state. This incentive, created to guarantee travel between the islands and with the mainland, has ended up becoming a financial cushion that, according to some experts, may be distorting the market.
"When a company grows supported by a public subsidy that covers a large part of its revenue, one must ask whether the strategy is geared toward benefiting residents or taking advantage of a tax advantage to expand with low risk," comments an airline industry analyst.
Tourism or connectivity?
The paradox is evident: the increase in routes may benefit peninsular tourism, but it could be straining domestic connectivity or making key routes more expensive for the resident population. There are voices warning that, while Binter is opening new routes to Córdoba or Badajoz, flights between islands or to Madrid at certain times are becoming overcrowded or more expensive, even with the discount.
Furthermore, during peak season, tickets sell out quickly and base prices skyrocket, once again calling into question the actual effectiveness of the bonus system.
More diversified tourism… but also more dependent
From a tourism perspective, the new routes can help diversify visitor profiles to the islands, a positive development for destinations like Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, which are seeking to reduce seasonality and deconcentrate tourist arrivals. But this approach relies heavily on a public subsidy model and lacks a clear policy to balance tourism and resident connectivity.
Towards a new model?
Binter's expansion is, without a doubt, an opportunity for growth for the Canary Islands economy. But like any model based on public aid, it requires transparency, oversight, and a long-term vision. What today seems like a commercial success story could become a structural problem if the benefits are not guaranteed to reach both tourists and residents.
The big question remains: to what extent is the resident discount being used as a driver of expansion for a private company? And, above all, who actually pays the cost of this connectivity?
