Campaigners demand cheaper flights to the Canary Islands

Campaigners have announced protests in Madrid and Barcelona to demand cheaper flights to the Canary Islands, warning that high fares are preventing families from seeing one another.

The demonstrations will take place on Saturday 31st October, with organisers calling for measures to contain or reduce ticket prices, particularly over Christmas and during school holidays.

Behind the campaign are three associations: Canarios sin Alas, Canarios por la Movilidad Justa and Casa Canarias Cataluña.

They say people who have moved to mainland Spain face increasing difficulties paying for journeys back to the islands, whether for holidays, family visits or urgent personal circumstances.

The cost of going home

A central concern is the position of Canarians living outside the archipelago who no longer qualify for the resident travel discount.

Without that support, campaigners say the cost of returning can put visits beyond the reach of families, weakening their connection with relatives and their home islands.

The associations want political parties to commit to practical measures to make these journeys more affordable, including regulation of flight prices.

They are also urging the Canary Islands Government to use its forthcoming budgets to help address the problem.

The campaign focuses on connections between mainland Spain and the islands. It does not announce cheaper tickets or changes to fares on routes from the UK.

When are the protests?

The Madrid demonstration is scheduled for midday on 31st October in Plaza de las Cortes.

A simultaneous gathering is planned in Barcelona, although its location had not been confirmed in the announcement.

Organisers want both public authorities and airlines to recognise the impact of expensive flights on family relationships and access to the islands.

For now, the demonstrations represent a demand for action: no new fare cap, additional subsidy or ticket-price reduction has been announced as part of the campaign.