PSOE Puerto del Rosario: Ryanair's exit won’t hurt Fuerteventura or the Canary Islands
The PSOE of Puerto del Rosario, through its general secretary and spokesperson Tacoremi Gutiérrez, held a working meeting with the Secretary General for Air and Maritime Transport of the Ministry of Transport, Benito Núñez. Also present were the senator for Fuerteventura, Paloma Hernández, and the island director of the General State Administration, María Jesús de la Cruz. According to the socialists, the meeting coincided with the ministerial representative’s official visit to Fuerteventura “to see first‑hand the progress of strategic actions being carried out at the island’s port and airport.”
Air Connectivity Guaranteed Despite Ryanair’s Exit
The withdrawal of Ryanair from several Spanish airports will not have a negative impact on Fuerteventura or the Canary Islands as a whole. Following the Irish carrier’s cuts, airlines such as Vueling, Binter, Iberia Express and Wizz Air have already bolstered their operations with new routes, additional frequencies and an increase of more than one million seats nationwide.
- In the Canary Islands, Binter announced ten weekly direct flights to Seville starting 1 December.
- Vueling is strengthening its schedule with almost 900,000 seats in Tenerife North and 578,000 seats in Santiago de Compostela.
- Iberia Express and Wizz Air have added roughly 30,000 extra seats in the archipelago and more than one million seats offered to and from the islands overall.
“The gaps left by Ryanair are being filled immediately by other carriers, which shows that the Canary Islands remain a strategic destination with high demand,” emphasized Tacoremi Gutiérrez, the capital’s socialist spokesperson.
Investments in Fuerteventura Airport
El Matorral Airport will undergo a major modernization of its boarding gates, with an investment of €9.5 million planned between 2025 and 2027. The works include:
- Complete replacement of several gates and renovation of others, many of which have been in service since 1997.
- Phased implementation during off‑peak hours to avoid disruption to airport traffic.
The PSOE also points out that the €0.68 airport tax per passenger does not hinder connectivity or competitiveness; the fee is earmarked to finance these upgrades and other AENA network improvements.
New Dock‑Dam at the Port of Puerto del Rosario
Another strategic project underway is the construction of a new commercial dock‑dam in Puerto del Rosario. The re‑planning act has already been signed. The contract, worth €40.6 million, sets a 17‑month execution period and will:
- Expand the port’s capacity.
- Improve protection against waves.
- Free up space for container traffic and tourist cruise ships.
Financed with European FEDER funds, the project responds to the sustained growth in commercial and passenger traffic over the past decade, during which the port’s activity has tripled.
“The Port of Puerto del Rosario is essential for the island’s supply and economic development. With this project we take a decisive step to strengthen its role as the gateway for goods and supplies to Fuerteventura,” said Benito Núñez.
Socialist Commitment to the Island’s Infrastructure
Tacoremi Gutiérrez stressed that these actions—both at the port and the airport—are the result of the socialist government’s management and the PSOE’s commitment to Fuerteventura’s economic and logistical development.
“Modernizing our infrastructure guarantees the island’s future. The PSOE will continue to defend projects that create jobs, enhance competitiveness, and ensure Fuerteventura’s connectivity,” concluded the socialist spokesperson.