Canary Islands identified as potential European aerospace hub

Pedro Duque, president of Hispasat and former Minister of Science and Innovation, has identified the Canary Islands as an ideal location for a European spaceport. Speaking at the ‘Horizonte 2035’ event in Tenerife, Duque highlighted the archipelago's proximity to the equator, high-quality skies, and favorable tax incentives under its Special Economic and Fiscal Regime as key drivers for attracting the aerospace industry.

Duque noted that technological advancements and reduced launch costs have made space more accessible to new actors beyond major powers like the US, China, and Russia. He suggested that the region could host not only rocket launch platforms but also manufacturing facilities for rockets and electronic components.

Rosa Dávila, president of the Tenerife Island Council, emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer and the role of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in fostering skilled talent. To advance local technological capabilities, Dávila announced the deployment of four proprietary observation satellites designed to improve territorial surveillance and civil protection emergency responses.