Entrepreneurial innovation in the Binter Airline Company: new routes in Europe and Africa after COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the largest destruction of value of airlines in the history of the aviation industry. Binter was also exposed to a harsh impact, but the company experienced a faster and earlier recovery than most of the airlines in the industry due to two different factors: most of the passengers are inter-island connections and the good evolution of bookings in the domestic and European destinations. The chapter aims to analyse the corporate entrepreneurship actions taken by Binter since its first flight and its early dreams of being the wings of Canarian residents of those who visited the islands as tourists. Since the inaugural flight, multiple actions have accelerated the entrance of new subsidiary firms of the group in vertical and horizontal sectors such as handling, aircraft maintenance, cargo and logistics, low-cost operations, information and communication technology (ICT), and training. Binter case reveals that the various CE initiatives taken by the airline were primarily proactive rather than reactive. Binter could develop strategies, learning capabilities, and related CE actions to anticipate a future full of success. The company is ready to respond to the emerging and uncertain environment.