Fewer seats, but more efficient planes from Germany

Germany will fly to Fuerteventura with new low‑CO₂‑emission aircraft. German airlines are temporarily cutting capacity while they renew their fleets to meet European emission standards. The Cabildo’s Tourism Department links this process to the island’s broader environmental‑policy debate.

The reduction in seats from Germany for the summer of 2026 is not due to waning interest in the destination. It is an operational adjustment: airlines are in the middle of a fleet‑renewal programme to introduce aircraft with lower CO₂ output, in line with EU directives.

“The German tourism sector is now leading, with concrete actions, the shift toward more sustainable tourism – a scenario conducive to a tourism eco‑tax in Fuerteventura.”
— Marlene Figueroa, Island Minister of Tourism

According to the Fuerteventura Tourism Board, which presented its ITB Berlin 2026 report on 5 March, regular seat availability from Germany will temporarily drop by 6 % for Fuerteventura and 8.6 % across the Canary Islands while the aircraft replacement is completed.

Once the renewal is finished, the German market is expected to rebound with aircraft that fully comply with European emission rules. The Cabildo sees this as an opportunity to reinforce Fuerteventura’s positioning as a sustainable destination.

The proposed tourism eco‑tax

In this context, Minister Figueroa tied the situation to the possible introduction of a tourism eco‑tax:

• “The tourism eco‑tax is a financing tool, not a generic revenue‑raising measure.”
• “It is a purpose‑driven instrument to protect what makes us unique as a destination and to preserve the high quality of life and the economic and social progress of Fuerteventura.”

ITB Berlin highlights

• Fuerteventura maintained a presence at the Canary Islands stand throughout the fair.
• The final note from the Cabildo’s Tourism Department emphasized a “clear commitment to sustainability” as the exhibition closed.

On the last day of the event, the Tourism Board, together with the municipalities of La Oliva and Pájara, and business representatives, met with operators such as Fly Edelweiss, Travel Diaries, and TLVG Tourismus Lifestyle, as well as content creator Naomi van Hagen (Travander).

Earlier in the week, delegations held talks with Jet2.com, Jet2holidays, Granicus, Thalasso Nº 1, Itaka, Minube, eDreams, Travel Marketing, LegendsTour, Expedia Group, Viajes All Sun, TUI Group, Travel Zoo, FVW Medien, AnexTour, Holiday Check, and participated in the Canarias EU‑prime promo event and the Regenerative Tourism Commission organized by the Canary Islands Government’s Promotur.

German market figures

In 2025, Fuerteventura welcomed 784,752 German passengers and continues to offer regular flights from Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich and Cologne.

The Cabildo views the temporary seat reduction as a short‑term operational step that will ultimately strengthen Fuerteventura’s appeal to environmentally‑conscious travellers.