The PP (Liberal-Conservative) government has raised a hue and cry, but not in the Canary Islands. In Maspalomas, where the hotels have just hung up their "full" signs for the summer and Meloneras Boulevard remains a showcase of the tourist power of southern Gran Canaria, the latest movement in the European skies is being cautiously observed. Juan José Hidalgo, president of Air Europa and patriarch of Globalia, has surprised everyone by publicly requesting that Turkish Airlines join his airline's board of directors.
The deal is no small feat: the Turkish company, with a fleet of 495 aircraft and expansion plans that make it one of the most powerful in the world, will invest between 26 and 27% of Air Europa in exchange for €300 million. For Hidalgo, it's "good for Spain and for all of Europe" because it ensures independence from giants like IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM.
But in Maspalomas the reading is different.
The fear of losing the peninsular tourist
Southern Gran Canaria depends on German, British, and Nordic tourists, yes, but mainland visitors remain vital during the summer months, Easter, and long weekends. Now the big question is whether Turkish, within Air Europa, will use its position to divert some of that demand to the Turkish coast, a destination that competes directly in the same sun-and-sand segment, with 20% lower prices and a large-scale hotel offering.
"If Turkish gains power in route and promotion decision-making, Maspalomas could lose connectivity and market share on the peninsula," summarizes a tourism intelligence expert. Air Europa's commercial information—which routes work best, what types of travelers travel from Madrid and Barcelona to the south of Gran Canaria—could become gold for Istanbul.
Between confidentiality and competition
The risk is not only price competition, but also the management of strategic information. By joining the board of directors, Turkish would have visibility into the profitability of routes to Gran Canaria and the consumption patterns of Spanish travelers. In the hands of a direct competitor, this knowledge could reinforce campaigns to divert customers to Antalya, Bodrum, or Izmir, enclaves that are already vying for the title of "cheap sunny paradise" in the archipelago.
Maspalomas seeks its shield
With tour operators on guard and hoteliers on edge, the key for Maspalomas will not only be monitoring connectivity, but also strengthening its unique offering: stable weather year-round, health security, proximity to Europe, and an inclusive segment—LGBTQI+ tourism—that Türkiye has difficulty replicating.
Furthermore, the geopolitical uncertainty in the Eastern Mediterranean could become the Canary Islands' trump card: stability and EU membership versus a Turkish destination with attractions, but also with shadows.
The outcome in the skies
On the terraces of Playa del Inglés, the waiters continue to serve beers, and tourists, for the moment, aren't talking about Turkish or Air Europa. But tourism industry offices in southern Gran Canaria are already analyzing scenarios. Hidalgo's move may guarantee Air Europa's independence on the European stage, but in Maspalomas, it raises a long-standing concern: that the decisions made in Madrid and Istanbul will end up deciding whether next summer families on the peninsula choose the Canary Islands or are seduced by Turkish beaches.
