Binter Canarias is unlikely to feature highly when considering operators between Europe and Africa. The regional carrier, which uses ATR-72s and Embraer E195-E2s, is European but is geographically very close to Africa. It serves five countries in North and West Africa. But the airline's Jonay Lobo, Chief Network, Revenue Management, and Alliance, said at CONNECT Route Development Forum in Tangier that it will add more African countries in two to three years.

A summary: Binter to Africa

This summer, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, and Western Sahara will be served by Binter Canarias from its main airport at Las Palmas or Tenerife North. It targets point-to-point passengers and those transiting across the wider Canary Islands and, in some cases, to wider Europe.

According to OAG data, Africa is responsible for just 1.3% of its total capacity, which rises to over half (52%) if only international is considered. It is, therefore, critical in this context and in connecting the Canary Islands to the continent.

Eight summer routes

Binter's eight-strong Africa route network is as follows. They include Gran Canaria to Laayoune, one of the shortest routes between Europe and Africa. Note that two other routes, Gran Canaria-Daklha, and Gran Canaria-Guelmime, end at the end of March and therefore are omitted. Presumably, they'll return next winter.

Routing

Flights

Aircraft

Comments

Gran Canaria-Nouakchott

Three weekly

E195-E2

Leaves at 22:55 and arrives back at 02:35

Gran Canaria-Dakar

Two to three

E195-E2

Departs at 22:35 and arrives back at 04:20

Gran Canaria-Marrakech

Two to three weekly

ATR-72

Gran Canaria-Laayoune

Two weekly

ATR-72

Gran Canaria-Agadir

Weekly to twice-weekly

ATR-72

Tenerife North-Marrakech

Weekly

ATR-72

June 26th-September 25th

Gran Canaria-Fes

Weekly

ATR-72

July 22nd-September 16th

Gran Canaria-Sal

Weekly

E195-E2

Leaves at 23:00 and arrives back at 04:50

Binter Canarias summer 2023 Africa network
Image: GCMap.

Binter to add more countries

Speaking at CONNECT, Lobo said he expects to add more African nations. "Our geographic position is helpful. We should add two or three more countries in Africa in the next two to three years." This coincides with its E2 fleet doubling by 2024.

He gave nothing anyway. It is, after all, commercially sensitive. He didn't say if they'd include resumptions or brand-new countries for the carrier. Might Guinea appear? Might it return to the Gambia, a country it served for years?

Binter Canarias ATR-72 head on shot taxiing
Photo: Ninafotoart/Shutterstock

All of Binter's Africa routes are 'termination' services. They operate to/from the destination, such as Gran Canaria-Sal-Gran Canaria. However, Lobo entertained the idea of possible fifth freedom traffic rights. "It might appeal to us, especially if they're niche markets." In other words, where it could obtain sufficiently high fares to offset the higher costs, risk, and complexity.

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But it could do even more

Lobo was clear that Africa needs to do much more to attract airlines. Except for Morocco, which has done huge amounts to develop, African countries shoot themselves in the foot.

"There needs to be a single sky in the region and a policy of supporting new routes. When we talk to airports, it's undermined by taxes [including airport charges] and a lack of flexibility. If we want to launch a new route, some countries don't discount [charges] even at the start... there's no willingness to share risk."

Where would you like to see Binter fly next? Let us know in the comments.