This measure responds to the need to maintain support for the tourist sector of La Palma to guarantee its recovery after the volcanic eruption and contemplates the creation of subsidies to airlines operating to La Palma, reducing part of the cost per seat and other actions to promote the tourist sector on the island. The Special Commissioner for the Reconstruction of La Palma, Héctor Izquierdo, stressed that “this line of incentives is essential to ensure that La Palma regains its air connectivity as soon as possible, an essential basis to reactivate its economy, tourism and rebuild its productive fabric”.

Izquierdo adds that it is intended to give confidence to the airlines to resume routes that were interrupted and to ensure that the island remains an attractive, accessible and competitive destination, thus reinforcing the global strategy of economic and social recovery. “La Palma is joined by the crisis caused by the eruption of the volcano and the pandemic and that is why this accompaniment is so necessary,” he declares.

The aid is foreseen in the Strategic Plan of Subsidies of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism 2025-2027. And the management of those destined for the Canary Islands is carried out by the Ministry of Tourism of the regional government. Thus, it will be possible to launch a new Flight Development Fund (FDV) to encourage new routes from various European countries and that will serve to consolidate the projection of the islands as a cultural, tourist and economic destination. “Although recent data show an increase in passengers,” says Izquierdo, “it is still necessary to continue working for the full recovery of air traffic.” Therefore, the extension of the line of incentives by the State acquires a special relevance: it not only supports connectivity, but also strengthens the State’s commitment to integral reconstruction, in coordination with the Canary and local administrations.