Canary Islands protesters claim victory as major airline drops Tenerife after low numbers

Mass tourism protesters in Tenerife have been handed a victory after a major airline dropped a route. (Image: Getty)

Like much of Spain this summer, the Canary Islands including Tenerife and Lanzarote have faced protests and demonstrations over mass tourism.

The islands are extremely popular with British tourists in particular, with almost six million having descended on the archipelago last year.

Among the protesters’ demands was the immediate end to the construction of any more hotel accommodations.

A plan known as the Plan Insular de Ordenación allows for the construction of over 129,000 new tourist beds, effectively doubling the current capacity. Those against the expansion plans say it is environmentally unsustainable and a legacy of a discredited tourism model. 

Now, protesters have been handed a small victory after the major American airline United Airlines (UA) announced it would be ending their direct transatlantic flights between Tenerife and New York in April 2025 due to low passenger numbers. 

United Airlines has announced it will end their direct route between Tenerife and New York. (Image: Getty)

The route had been extended to year-round service in June to make it convenient for travellers to visit one of Spain’s most sought-after destinations.

In 2023, Tenerife welcomed over 36,500 American visitors, a significant increase, of nearly 38 percent, from 26,500 in 2022.

At the time, Antonio de Toro, UA’s head of sales in Spain said: “As the only airline connecting North America with the Canary Islands, we are delighted to return to Tenerife with a significantly extended service that now includes the winter season, offering our customers on both sides of the Atlantic even greater travel choice."

Recent data indicated that Tenerife ranked among UA's worst-performing international routes. (Image: Getty)

The flight, operating between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Tenerife South (TFS) three times a week using Boeing 757-200 aircraft, reduced travel time considerably compared to having to get connecting flights through European hubs. 

Recent data shared by Enilria indicates that Tenerife ranked among UA’s worst-performing international routes from Newark in June.

A spokesperson for United Airlines said: “United regularly adjusts its schedule for a variety of reasons including demand, the broader needs of our network and other factors.”