Key data
| Regulation | Order TRM/789/2026, of July 20 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 31, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 1, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Airlines operating inter-island routes in the Canary Islands and passengers on said routes |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Minimum tariff | 84 € (Tenerife North – La Gomera) |
| Maximum tariff | 136 € (La Palma – Lanzarote) |
| Previous modification | October 2024 |
Airlines operating flights between the islands of the Canary Islands archipelago must apply new maximum reference tariffs from August 1, 2026. The Order TRM/789/2026, published in the BOE on July 31, updates the Public Service Obligations (OSP) originally established in the Council of Ministers Agreement of June 2, 2006, responding to the increase in operating costs for airlines and aiming to guarantee the economic viability of these routes and the connectivity of the archipelago.
This is the fourth modification of the Canary Islands OSPs, following adjustments made due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, operational recovery in 2022, and the last update in October 2024.
What does this regulation establish?
Order TRM/789/2026 modifies the reference tariffs of OSPs on inter-island air routes in the Canary Islands. These reference tariffs are the maximum prices that airlines can charge on routes declared as public service, thus guaranteeing accessibility for residents of the archipelago.
The adjustment responds to the increase in operating costs for airlines operating these routes. Below are the tariffs per route published in the regulation:
| Route | Maximum tariff per route |
|---|---|
| Tenerife North – La Gomera | 84 € |
| La Palma – Lanzarote | 136 € |
The regulatory summary covers the extremes of the tariff range (84 € and 136 €). The remaining inter-island routes in the Canary Islands subject to OSP fall within this range according to the distance and operational characteristics of each connection.
Comparison of historical modifications of Canary Islands OSPs:
| Modification | Reason |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Adjustment due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Post-pandemic operational recovery |
| October 2024 | Tariff update |
| August 2026 (current) | Increase in airline operating costs |
Economic and operational impact
For operating airlines, the update of reference tariffs represents a relief from margin pressure resulting from increased operating costs. OSPs require maintaining minimum frequencies and capacity on these routes, so economic viability depends directly on tariffs covering actual costs.
For passengers, the impact is direct: the maximum applicable prices on these routes increase, with a range from 84 € on the shortest route (Tenerife North – La Gomera) to 136 € on the longest route (La Palma – Lanzarote). Canary Islands residents entitled to resident discounts will continue to apply that benefit to the base tariff, but the reference base is now higher.
From an operational perspective, airlines must update their reservation and pricing systems to reflect the new maximums from August 1, 2026, with no additional adaptation period, given that the regulation enters into force the day after its publication in the BOE.
Who does it affect?
- Airlines operating inter-island routes in the Canary Islands: must adapt their tariffs and distribution systems to the new reference maximums from August 1, 2026.
- Passengers resident in the Canary Islands: the reference prices on which resident discounts are applied are updated upward.
- Non-resident travelers: the maximum applicable prices on these public service routes increase.
- Travel agencies and distribution platforms: must reflect the new maximum tariffs in their sales systems for these routes.
- Companies with frequent inter-island travel: the cost of inter-island business travel may increase.
Practical example
A company headquartered in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria that regularly deploys its sales team to La Palma and Lanzarote faces a specific scenario:
- A route La Palma – Lanzarote can now reach up to 136 € per person under the new OSP tariffs.
- If the company makes, for example, 10 deployments per month on that route, the maximum monthly cost for that would be 1,360 € (compared to what applied with tariffs prior to August 2026).
- For the most economical route, Tenerife North – La Gomera, the tariff ceiling is set at 84 € per route.
Airlines, for their part, must verify that no commercialized tariff exceeds these new reference maximums on OSP routes, under penalty of breaching public service obligation conditions.
What should companies do now?
- Airlines: Immediately update pricing and distribution systems to reflect the new OSP maximums from August 1, 2026. The regulation does not provide for a transition period.
- Travel agencies and platforms: Verify that published tariffs for inter-island Canary Islands routes do not exceed the new reference limits and update sales systems.
- Companies with frequent corporate travel: Review inter-island travel budgets for the second half of 2026, incorporating the new tariff range (84 €–136 € per route).
- Procurement departments and travel managers: Renegotiate corporate agreements with airlines taking into account the new tariff ceilings as market reference.
- All affected parties: Consult the full text of the Order TRM/789/2026 in the BOE to verify the details of all routes and specific application conditions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inter-island flight in the Canary Islands cost now with the new OSP tariffs?
The new reference tariffs range from 84 € on the Tenerife North – La Gomera route to 136 € on the La Palma – Lanzarote route. These are the maximum tariffs per route applicable from August 1, 2026 on routes declared as public service obligation.
When do the new inter-island flight tariffs for the Canary Islands come into force?
The new tariffs came into force on August 1, 2026, the day after the publication of Order TRM/789/2026 in the BOE (July 31, 2026). There is no transition period: application is immediate.
How many times have the OSPs for Canary Islands flights been modified since 2006?
This is the fourth modification of Public Service Obligations on inter-island air routes in the Canary Islands since the Council of Ministers Agreement of 2006. Previous adjustments occurred in 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic), 2022 (operational recovery), and October 2024.
What are Public Service Obligations (OSP) on Canary Islands air routes?
OSPs are conditions imposed by the State on airlines to guarantee the connectivity of the Canary Islands archipelago. They require maintaining minimum frequencies, capacity, and maximum tariffs on certain inter-island routes, ensuring that residents can travel between islands at regulated prices.
Does the Canary Islands resident discount still apply with the new tariffs?
Yes. The Canary Islands resident discount applies to the base tariff commercialized by the airline. However, since the OSP reference tariffs have increased —up to 136 € on the most expensive route—, the base on which the discount is calculated is now higher, which may result in a higher final price for residents than previously.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16658