ExpoMeloneras

Binter Canarias

In March 1989 BinterCanarias launched its operations in the Canary Islands. At that time the company had a fleet of four CN-235 aircraft.
The first flights operated between Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and Fuerteventura, which were subsequently joined by the islands of Lanzarote and El Hierro. Following the opening of La Gomera Airport (July 1999) BinterCanarias also launched a route with this island.
During these early days of BinterCanarias, the immediate objective was to guarantee more frequent flights between the islands, whilst at the same time those running the company were implementing procedures to enable the operation to run more smoothly.

The four CN-235s with which operations began ceased operating on the islands in 1997, when the ATR was introduced as the ideal aircraft to operate flights within the islands. By June 1999 there were 11 of these aircraft operating on all flights, except for the period between 1995 and 1998, during which three DC-9s were leased from Iberia to complete the fleet. In 2002, following the purchase of the company by a group of investors on the island, a major fleet renovation process began, with the acquisition of eight new ATR-72/500s, to replace the older models. BinterCanarias currently operates with a fleet of 18 ATR-72.

Over the years, the conditions regulating air transport on the islands have changed considerably. In 1989 we found ourselves in a regulated market, in the hands of a monopoly, Iberia, of which BinterCanarias formed part. We have now entered into a more liberalised situation, whilst within the specific context of the islands being regulated with regard to frequencies, seats available and with maximum tariffs being stipulated by the State, by means of the Public Service Obligations.

BinterCanarias began as a regional airline, and in this respect it is currently the only one to operate in the eight airports of the Canaries. But in addition to this, in 2005 an internationalisation process was initiated, resulting today in connections operating with Marrakech, Aaiun and Madeira.

Binter Canarias
Back