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The amount for the new call for applications for incentives will be a maximum of 200,000 euros for each sector created by the airlines, whose sales will be boosted by marketing campaigns in the countries of origin. The aid is intended to increase international connections and capture more European tourists.

In summer, La Palma’s international connectivity dropped by 16.8%, and the fall is expected to reach 21.8% in winter. In contrast, connectivity with mainland Spain rose by 103% this summer and is expected to climb by a further 37.4% over winter.

The considerable increase in Spanish connections has been driven by the La Palma tourist vouchers initiative set up with Spain’s central government with a budget of 6.6 million euros, one million for national and regional promotion campaigns and the remainder for the issue of 20,000 vouchers for 250 euros each. Under the initiative, 204,267 people have taken part so far, 202 businesses have joined the programme, and 19,310 vouchers have been activated for a total of 4,828,500 euros, more than two million euros of which has been used.

To select the 18 air routes with La Palma for the incentives, priority has been given to connections with European capital cities not already operating in the Canary Islands.

The 18 sectors eligible for these incentives have been chosen in compliance with legal requirements and other applicable regulations. Priority has been given to routes with capital cities in countries that are not already operating in the Islands, from the main source markets or markets that previously had connectivity with La Palma, aiming to facilitate the island’s recovery. The routes chosen connect La Palma with Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The routes also include major UK and German cities with a high volume of flights to the other Canary Islands apart from La Palma, and other important markets such as France.

The routes chosen for the new call for applications connect La Palma with Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The call for applications, which has been submitted for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), has been made in the framework of the Flight Development Fund authorised by the European Commission to be managed by Turismo de Islas Canarias. To receive the incentives, a series of requirements must be met. The routes must be new international routes for La Palma and the airlines must commit to operating the sector for at least two years.

The maximum amount of the incentive cannot exceed 50% of airport charges, and the call for applications will remain open indefinitely, giving airlines the time they need to plan and promote their routes.