MONTSERRAT BARRIGA International projects manager of Binter Canarias International expansion case BINTER is a regional Spanish airline (and air industry related services) based in the Canary Islands, with over 27 years of operation. Our primary destinations are within the archipelago of Canary Islands, also connecting internationally Canarias with Western Africa and Portugal, starting to internationalise from 2005. BINTER is the only airline serving several OR in Europe (Canaries, Madeira, Azores) and OR in Africa (Cape Verde). This is an ongoing story of time, perseverance, investment, risk. 2005 Marrakech, El Aaiún and Funchal 2012 Agadir, Casablanca, Lisboa, Praia and Nuakchot 2013 Banjul, Dakar and Azores 2016 Binter Cabo Verde • Binter has replicated the model of Canarias in Cape Verde • Connection of Macaronesia 2017 Adding new destinations: Bamako, Dajla and Nuadibu Geographical mobility as a vehicle for regional development: economically and socially • Africa connected vertically, not horizontally GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY IS A • Supply of air links creates demand and VEHICLE FOR REGIONAL allows development in both origin and DEVELOPMENT: ECONOMICALLY destination AND SOCIALLY. Local development in the destinations linked to development in Canarias as a global strategy: tourism, medical services, education Challenges & Opportunities • Social /Political instability • Unfair competition • High bureaucracy • Alliances & code share • Poor infrastructures • Emerging markets • Low local demand • Globalisation Importance of public support to private initiative • Facilitating visas for Africans • Reducing bureaucracy for airlines • Reducing airport taxes • Marketing regions as touristic destinations • Investing in infrastructures • Allow access to international financing • Students mobility • Languages Thank you Gracias Thank you Merci Obrigado .