Ryanair announced today that it will reduce its flight operations at seven regional airports in Spain this summer, citing what it describes as “excessive fees” imposed by the state-controlled airport operator Aena.
The airline, which is Spain’s largest by passenger numbers, will cease services in the cities of Jerez and Valladolid. Additionally, Ryanair will scale back operations on 12 routes, including flights to and from Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Santander, and Asturias airports. The reductions will result in a significant drop in capacity, with the airline canceling approximately 800,000 passenger seats, or an 18% decrease, compared to the previous summer.
In a statement, Ryanair emphasized that the decision is a direct response to the high airport fees charged by Aena, which the airline has been protesting for years. Despite a freeze on these fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryanair has continued to voice concerns about the financial burden on carriers. In December, Spain’s competition watchdog blocked Aena’s proposal for a fee increase planned for 2025.
Ryanair also indicated that it plans to redirect its aircraft and capacity to other markets, including Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary, and Morocco, where governments offer more favorable conditions for growth. The airline’s move comes as part of its broader strategy to focus on countries that encourage aviation expansion.
The decision to scale back operations in Spain could have broader implications for the country’s tourism industry. Spain has become a major tourist destination, with more than 309 million passengers passing through Aena’s airports in 2024, setting a new record. The surge in international visitors has contributed to a strong recovery in Spain’s tourism sector, with authorities expecting the trend to continue this year.
Ryanair’s actions highlight the ongoing tension between low-cost carriers and airport authorities in Europe. While the airline’s decision to cut flights may help it reduce operational costs, it could also result in reduced connectivity for Spanish travelers, especially in the affected regions.
With tourism continuing to thrive and Spain remaining a key player in the European aviation market, Ryanair’s move underscores the challenges airlines face in balancing profitability with rising infrastructure costs.
