Ryanair may consider cutting Canary Island routes

Ryanair is considering cutting a number of routes to the Canary Islands if the Minister of Energy, Industry and Tourism, José Manuel Soria, continues with his proposal to cut subsidies.

The Regional President, Paulino Rivero, together with representatives of the regional and local governments and members of the tourism sector joined in protest against the decision.

Ryanair's Head of Marketing and Sales in Spain, Luis Fernandez, said yesterday that no final decision had been made, but confirmed that a number of routes to the Canary Islands were not comepetive without financial support. He went on to say how there were many more routes to other European destinations that had lower operating costs and were much more profitable for the company.

The Government delegate in the Canary Islands, Maria del Carmen Hernandez Bento, commented how it was unfair that the subsidies only seemed to benefit one airline, and that all airlines should be treated equally.

Fernandez agreed that Ryanair had benefited most of all, but that thet were one of the first airlines to offer regular and affordable routes to the Islands, and currently operate around 140 routes to the Islands. In 2011 passenger numbers grew to 4.5 Million - up from 2.3 Million in 2010 and is essential to tourism in the Canaries. As such, the most popular airline should be entitled to such benefits.

The regional President has also sent a letter to Mariano Rajoy to ask him to clarify the uncertainty over the claims that such subsidies may be cut.