This summer, travellers using Spanish regional airports will have fewer low-cost options available due to Ryanair’s decision to reduce its services. The airline has removed thousands of seats from its schedules for 2025, impacting seven airports in the country. Overall, Ryanair is cutting 800,000 seats from the Spanish market, representing an 18 per cent reduction in its operations. Twelve routes will be lost entirely as a result of this decision. The airline attributes these changes to what it deems excessive fees imposed by Spanish airport operator Aena.
The airports most affected by Ryanair’s service reductions are regional ones such as Jerez and Valladolid, where the budget airline will cease operations entirely. Valladolid, for example, will be left with only one commercial operator after Ryanair’s exit. Other airports like Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander will also experience a decrease in Ryanair flights. Aena points out that these reductions are due to their excessive airport charges and lack of growth incentives, according to Ryanair’s CEO, Eddie Wilson.
Aena disputes Ryanair’s claims regarding the fees at Spanish airports, stating that the average charge for airport services remains frozen at €10.35 per passenger. In response, Aena has offered incentives to stimulate growth at its regional airports by subsidizing them. The airport management company has approved initiatives to support airports with fewer than three million passengers, providing discounts for additional passengers above 2023 levels. Aena emphasizes that Ryanair’s allegations of high fees are part of a larger strategy of threatening and blackmailing the airport operator.
While Ryanair argues that the fees at Spanish airports are inhibiting growth, Aena insists that their charges are among the lowest in Europe. The aviation industry has seen cost increases due to various factors such as inflation and higher operational expenses. Despite a rise in fares, airports have not been able to raise charges to the same extent. Throughout 2024, Ryanair’s operations in Spain increased by 8.7 per cent, and the airline plans to continue growing by around 5 per cent in 2025, despite the reduction in services at certain regional airports.
Aena’s perspective on the situation is that Ryanair is attempting to pressure the airport operator and the government into providing free access to a significant portion of Spanish airports. The airport operator contends that Ryanair’s actions could jeopardize the long-term financial sustainability of Spain’s airport system. While Ryanair’s decisions to reduce services at certain regional airports may impact passengers, the overall impact on the airline’s operations in Spain is relatively small in relation to its total activities. Aena views Ryanair’s approach as aggressive and potentially illegal under Spanish law, highlighting the ongoing tension between the airline and the airport operator.
