Aena has established a new non-negotiable condition for the Canary Islands, this time based on economic grounds. The president of the semi-public company, Maurici Lucena, affirmed last Thursday that the current airport model is unalterable, not only by legislation but also by market influence. The company's private capital amounts to approximately 20 billion euros, and any modification to infrastructure management could lead to legal action by large international investors, who are observing with "concern" the ongoing debate with the Canary Islands, as well as with Catalonia, Galicia, and the Balearic Islands.
“"There is a lot of concern."
The political initiative of the Government of the Canary Islands, led by Fernando Clavijo, to gain greater control over the administration of its airports, was met with this new barrier imposed by Lucena during the shareholders' meeting that ratified his position. This was joined by another known restriction: there will be no transfer or co-management, and any regional participation will be limited to a "reinforced cooperation" of a consultative nature, without decision-making capacity.
This implies that the Archipelago will be able to participate in discussions but will not have decision-making power. Control of its airports will remain entirely in the hands of Aena. This firm stance by the company comes just six days after a meeting between the State and the Autonomous Community, where representatives of the Central Administration had assured that no limits would be set in negotiations.
Lucena has been accused by President Clavijo and the Minister of Public Works, Pablo Rodríguez, of defending the interests of private shareholders (49%) against public ones (51%). Faced with Canarian aspirations, Aena proposes a participation model without real power, similar to the agreement with the Basque Country, which consists of a strictly consultative bilateral body without binding effects.
“"The constitutional framework is incompatible with the requests of some autonomous communities."
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Pablo Rodríguez, reminded Lucena that the Canarian Statute itself establishes that participation in airports must occur "under the terms determined by state regulations." This opens the possibility for formulas that do not question the ownership or overall management of the network but do allow the Canary Islands to play a relevant role in strategic decisions.
“"The debate is how to articulate effective participation for the Canary Islands within the current legal framework, and that is exactly what we are negotiating with the State."
