Ryanair, the budget airline, has announced significant cuts to its flights serving Spanish airports due to an £8.70 charge imposed by Spain’s airport operator, AENA. The move involves the elimination of routes from key regional airports in Spain, removing approximately 800,000 passenger seats from operation. Additionally, Ryanair has urged AENA to reconsider its stance on the charges and to divest underperforming regional hubs. In response, the airline highlighted the need for a growth plan from AENA to incentivise airlines to operate in these regions. CEO Eddie Wilson criticised the high and uncompetitive access costs of Spanish airports, stating that the current situation led to regional airports being significantly underutilised.
The impacted routes include the discontinuation of flights to Jerez and Valladolid, as well as reductions in services to Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%), and Santander (-5%). Ryanair attributes these decisions directly to the £8.70 per passenger fee charged by AENA. While the fee was frozen for 2025 by a competition watchdog, Ryanair argues that previous increases have not been adequately addressed. The airline’s CEO emphasised that regional airports in Spain are operating at only 36% capacity due to these high charges, making them unattractive for airlines to operate from.
With the UK being a significant market for Spanish tourism, accounting for 23% of the sector and experiencing a growth rate of 6.5% within a year, the impact of these flight reductions could have broader implications. Ryanair’s stance has elicited a response from AENA, which expressed regret at what it deemed “spurious arguments” by the airline. AENA highlighted that Ryanair’s statements do not align with the actual rates of airports in Spain and accused the airline of pressuring national and regional institutions with misleading information.
The aviation industry is closely watching this development, given Spain’s prominence as a tourist destination. The reduction in air connectivity to certain regions could impact not only travellers but also local economies reliant on tourism. As Ryanair takes a stand against what it perceives as excessive charges, the implications for the broader airline industry and airport management policies in Spain remain to be seen. This situation underscores the delicate balance between cost-effective operations for airlines and sustainable revenue generation for airport authorities.
As the dialogue between Ryanair and AENA continues, travellers and industry observers will be keen to see how this situation unfolds. The decision to cut flights to Spanish airports serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the complexities of airport management, airline operations, and the broader ripple effects of such decisions on regional connectivity and economic stability. Amidst a backdrop of evolving travel patterns and economic uncertainties, finding common ground between airlines and airport operators becomes crucial for ensuring sustainable air travel options for passengers.