Jet2, Monarch and Condor threaten to reduce flights over air tax bonuses

The British airlines Jet2 and Monarch, and the German airline Condor, have reported to the Cabildo of Tenerife that will reduce its flights in 2012 and increase the price of airline tickets to the island if the “Ministry of Public Works” does not extend the current air tax bonus. Monarch is the second airline in the British market, and last year transported to Tenerife to 335,844 tourists, 10.6% more than in 2010. It performed 1,682 operations, 5.4% more than the previous year.

Jet2 brought to the island last year 132,994 passengers, 37% more than in 2010. For this company, Tenerife is the leading destination with 650 operations in 2011, representing an increase of 33%.

The German operator Condor, meanwhile, has ruled out opening new lines to Tenerife North airport which they had planned if they the bonuses remained. Condor last year brought the island 224,650 tourists, up 9.9% in 2010 thanks to 1,125 operations (10% increase).

Chief executive of Tourism, Carlos Alonso, said that “These cuts, plus the closure of Spanair have put Tenerife and the Canary Islands in a difficult situation for the tourist market and their own external connectivity. The confusion is not good for the industry and we can not stay silent when in this region there is an unemployment rate of 30%”.