Canary Islands and Spanish State Agree on Bilateral Body to Co-manage Eight Airports From 2027
Why It MattersShared regional input into airport planning could give island operators and charter traffic a stronger voice in infrastructure priorities for the tourism-dependent archipelago over the 2027-2030 investment cycle.
The Canary Islands government and the Spanish central government have agreed to establish a bilateral body to manage the archipelago's eight airports. The body will have eight members, four appointed by the Canary Islands government and four by the national government, and will discuss airport co-management issues. Its leadership will alternate annually, starting with the Canary Islands government.
Ministers Ángel Víctor Torres and Fernando Clavijo announced the agreement, which follows three years of discussions. Torres described the deal as "relevant," noting it is one of nearly 40 transfers of responsibilities made to various autonomous communities in the past three and a half years. The agreement also includes a transfer of resources and gives the Canary Islands authority over non-general interest airfields and helipads from January 2027.
Pablo Rodríguez, the regional minister overseeing transport, said the agreement reinforces the autonomy set out in the Canary Islands' Statute of Autonomy from 2018. He pointed to the impact on tourism, the islands' main economic sector, and the need for better connectivity, and said the aim is to take part in planning and managing the airports rather than only observe developments. Clavijo called the agreement a significant step toward greater self-governance and improved infrastructure for tourism and local mobility.
As the bilateral body begins its work, the Canary Islands government will focus on monitoring compliance with the 2027-2030 Airport Regulation Document (Dora III), described as the largest investment plan negotiated for the region.
