Summary: Governments across Europe are delivering travel deals for 2026—ranging from fixed-price holiday packages and resident discount schemes to public service obligations and territorial continuity measures that subsidise routes and cap fares.

Across Europe in 2026, officially backed travel deals are reshaping the aviation market: national, regional and local authorities are sponsoring fixed‑price holiday packages, discount programmes and subsidised routes to make air travel more affordable and reliable. The analysis below draws exclusively on government sources to identify active programmes and their key terms.

Methodology and source integrity

This report is compiled from primary government materials—press releases, policy documents and tender notices—from regional administrations, transport ministries and national agencies. Commercial airline adverts and third‑party blogs were excluded. Each programme noted below links back to official documents so travellers can verify eligibility, timelines and fare conditions.

United Kingdom: Teesside packages and new regional services

Local authorities are partnering with operators to promote regional airports. Tees Valley Combined Authority has highlighted fixed‑price holiday packages from Teesside International Airport for 2026—four‑star breaks to Portugal, five‑star offers to Turkey and adult‑only Majorca packages—and is supporting added services including new flights to Antalya. A seasonal Guernsey route operated by Premier Holidays will run May–September 2026, with onward connections to Jersey.

Scotland: resident discounts via the Air Discount Scheme

Transport Scotland’s Air Discount Scheme reduces core fares by 50 percent for qualifying residents and students from the Highlands and Islands, and on selected mainland connections. The scheme is government‑funded and is valid through 31 March 2026, helping to keep essential travel more affordable for remote communities.

Ireland: PSOs to secure island and cross‑border flights

The Irish Government uses public service obligation (PSO) contracts to guarantee essential island links. A four‑year PSO worth €4.9 million funds Aer Arann Islands services between Aerfort Chonamara and the Aran Islands through 2026, providing more than 68,000 seats per year and adding direct services to smaller islands. In December 2025 a consultation began to explore reintroducing a subsidised Dublin–Derry route in 2026, subject to tender and carrier selection.

Finland: subsidised regional flights and price caps

Finland’s Traficom has tendered subsidised flights connecting Helsinki with several regional airports using €38 million in public funds to maintain links where ground journeys exceed three hours. A separate PSO for Helsinki–Savonlinna runs from 19 January 2026 to 15 December 2028 and sets a fare cap of €150 one way and €220 return, requires six weekly flights and specifies baggage allowances; the scheme is funded by the state and the city of Savonlinna.

Regional airport terminal and aircraft representing subsidised routes and government travel deals in Europe
Small and regional airports benefit from government-backed programmes that support routes and reduce fares for communities.

Italy: Sardinia’s territorial continuity reforms

Italy’s continuità territoriale system is being updated for Sardinia. A 9 February 2026 press release states a new continuity model begins on 29 March 2026: five routes between Sardinian airports and Rome or Milan will be operated by Aeroitalia without regional compensation, fares for residents will be reduced by about €30 per trip and eligibility will expand to include relatives and workers. ITA Airways will temporarily continue the Alghero–Milan service under an existing contract.

Al via il nuovo servizio, con tariffe più basse e più frequenze

What this means for travellers and communities

Collectively these measures make travel more affordable and predictable in specific regions: fixed‑price packages stimulate demand at regional airports; resident discount schemes halve fares for remote communities; PSOs and subsidies preserve year‑round seats to islands and rural areas; and regulated continuity schemes lower costs for residents while encouraging more frequent services. Eligibility varies—some benefits are limited to residents or students, others are open to all—so travellers should check official sites for conditions and booking windows.

So what? These government programmes mean travellers can find lower fares, guaranteed services and new seasonal routes in 2026—but availability, timelines and eligibility can change quickly. For practical planning, consult the issuing authority or booking portal to confirm fares, residency requirements and ticketing rules before purchasing.