Ryanair has announced significant reductions in its flight operations to Spain for the summer season, attributing the decision to what it describes as excessive fees charged by Aena, the Spanish national airport operator. The Irish budget airline will cut 800,000 seats from its schedule, ceasing flights entirely to Jerez de la Frontera and Valladolid and reducing services to Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Santander, and Asturias.
In a press release, Ryanair criticized the fees charged by Aena, arguing that they are discouraging growth in the Spanish market. The airline also emphasized its commitment to shifting operations to countries such as Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary, and Morocco, which it claims have governments more supportive of airline expansion.
Aena disputes Ryanair’s assertions, stating that its average fee of €10.35 per passenger is among the lowest in Europe. In a statement, the operator said it “deplored Ryanair's use of false arguments to confuse citizens and put pressure on public institutions.”
The announcement comes despite Spain achieving record tourist numbers in 2024, with more than 309 million passengers passing through its airports. Authorities expect tourism growth to continue in 2025, making Ryanair’s cuts a potential setback for regional connectivity.
