Evaluación del impacto de la competencia en un mercado parcialmente protegido: el transporte aéreo interinsular en Canarias (2003-2012)

Abstract

In the inter-island air routes in the Canary Islands, were declared an obligation of the public service in 1998; market competition has only existed in a continuous manner during the period from 2003-2012. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of the consequences of competition between air carriers focusing on five aspects: the evolution of supply, changes in demand, who holds routes, the social diffusion of the air transport use among the local population and labor relations. Our overall assessment of the period contains some grey area, nevertheless competition had some positive impacts for passengers. Considering the air transport system as a whole, some negative impacts were also observed, such as the bankruptcy of one of air carriers, the degradation of labor conditions and the excessive polarization of public aid to island residents.