The Ministry of Transport has updated the reference fares for inter-island flights subject to Public Service Obligation, resulting in an average increase of 7% on routes such as Lanzarote-Gran Canaria, Tenerife North and La Palma.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has green-lighted an update to the reference fares that limit the prices of inter-island flights in the Canary Islands subject to the Public Service Obligation (OSP) regime. The measure, published in the Official State Bulletin (BOE), comes into immediate effect and affects ten of the thirteen routes included in this system, three of which have origins or destinations in Lanzarote.
Specifically, the affected connections are Lanzarote with Gran Canaria, with Tenerife North and with La Palma. The average increase in reference fares is 7%, as detailed by the Ministry. The declared aim is to adapt the airlines' offerings to current market conditions and price fluctuations, while ensuring the viability of these essential links for mobility in the archipelago.
The modification grants airlines greater flexibility to expand their pricing offers. According to Transport, this flexibility will allow for the marketing of lower fares supported by higher ones, always within the limits set by the Public Service Obligation regime. In this way, the aim is to maintain a balance between the profitability of the routes and accessibility for users.
For residents in the Canary Islands, the potential impact of this increase is mitigated by the 75% discount on the cost of air transport maintained by the Government. This aid, which applies to inter-island flights, significantly reduces the final price paid by Canarians. However, the increase in reference fares could translate into a rise in the base cost on which the discount is calculated.
The Public Service Obligation regime applies to those routes deemed necessary to ensure the connectivity of the islands, especially for residents. In the Canary Islands, this system covers thirteen inter-island routes, of which ten have had their reference fares modified in this update. The remaining three routes have not undergone changes.
The Ministry's decision comes in a context of widespread increases in the operational costs of airlines, including fuel and airport fees. The 7% adjustment aims, according to sources from the department, to enable companies to continue offering these services without compromising their economic viability.
From the user's perspective, the increase in reference fares does not necessarily imply an automatic rise in ticket prices. Airlines can offer fares below that limit, and competition on the routes may keep prices competitive. However, the maximum marketing ceiling is raised, which opens the door to potential increases if market conditions allow.
The measure has been communicated to the airlines operating these routes, which will need to adjust their fares to the new established limits. The Ministry has not specified whether there will be specific monitoring of the impact on final prices for consumers.
For residents in Lanzarote, the update directly affects connections with the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma, routes widely used for both work and personal reasons. The 75% discount remains in effect, but the 7% increase in the reference fare could mean a slight rise in the final amount paid by travellers.
The Ministry of Transport defends that the update is necessary to maintain the quality and frequency of flights, as well as to ensure that the routes remain operational. In recent years, some inter-island connections have seen a reduction in their offerings due to lack of profitability, prompting the Government to reinforce the OSP regime.
The order published in the BOE includes a detailed table with the new reference fares for each of the affected routes. Interested parties can consult the official document to know the exact amounts. The Ministry has not announced any new revisions of these fares for now, although it does not rule out future updates depending on market developments.
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