Vigo Peinador Airport connectivity debate

Political tension has emerged in Vigo regarding the funding and development of air connectivity at Peinador Airport. Initially, the Partido Popular, led by Luisa Sánchez, criticized Mayor Abel Caballero for failing to commit municipal funds to the ‘Pacto por Peinador’ and urged him to join an AENA-led working group to attract new flight routes.

In response, the Vigo City Council announced plans to target specific destinations, including London, Paris, Alicante, and Seville, to boost tourism and business. Mayor Caballero stated that the municipality has guaranteed funding for these efforts in the 2027 budget. He also shifted the criticism toward the Xunta de Galicia and the Deputación de Pontevedra, accusing them of failing to provide direct funding for airline recruitment.

Efforts to expand the flight network progressed at the Routes World 2026 aviation fair in Frankfurt. Tourism Councilor María del Carmen Lago met with various airlines regarding a forthcoming public tender. Mayor Caballero noted significant interest from a major European tourism multinational requesting a high-level meeting to discuss potential investment.

To incentivize expansion, the Pontevedra Provincial Council has proposed a financial incentive of 200,000 euros for every new flight connection activated during 2027, with no limit on the number of routes. This would be supplemented by 100,000 euros from the Xunta de Galicia per new route during its first year, alongside fee reductions committed by Aena.

During the Routes World forum, officials presented the ‘Pact for Peinador’ to attract domestic and international routes starting in 2027. The Provincial Council has allocated an initial €400,000 for the program, with the potential to increase this budget if more agreements are reached. Discussions with six airlines have centered on destinations such as London, Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Seville, and Alicante, driven by market analysis and tourism demand in the Rías Baixas region.