RYANAIR is considering cutting flights from medium and small Spanish airports.
The low-cost airline warned that it will stop routes next if operator Aena does not lower its fees – which could lead to expensive tickets for British holidaymakers.
In an interview with El Economista, CEO Eddie Wilson said that regional “need low fees to stimulate growth”.
He continued to say that “otherwise the formula will not work”, adding that the company would not invest in loss-making operations.
In January 2025, .
Ryanair blamed “excessive fees” at airports infor its move to reduce and axe flights.
Spanish airport operator Aena increased the fees it charges airlines by 4.09 per cent last year, to make up for .
As a result, Ryanair cut certain routes which this has led to the cancellation of some 800,000 passenger seats compared to the previous year.
However, it added 1.5 million seats at popular larger airports such as Madrid, Malaga and Alicante, according to El Economista.
Some routes across Spain have been axed completely, one is in and Valladolid, which impacts British holidaymakers as a route operates from Stansted to Jerez.
Airport fees in Spain, which are decided by state-owned Aena, had beenfrozenin the country since the Covid-19.
Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson previously said: “Aena's excessive airport charges and lack of viable incentives for growth continue to harm Spain's regional airports, limiting their growth and leaving huge areas of airport capacity unused.”
This isn't good news for anyone heading over to Spain for a break in the sun.
With fewer seats due to cancelled flights, and higher costs from Aena – this is set to drive up prices of journeys from the UK to Spain.
has approached Aena for comment. The company in January called Ryanair's arguments “spurious” and said its fees were among the lowest in the region.
Routes across Spain aren't the only ones that could be scrapped by Ryanair.
Just last month Ryanair boss warned the airline could over the course of 2025.
Quoted in Le Figaro Mr O’Leary said: “The sad truth is that France is not growing as much [as other European countries].”
It comes after the low-cost airline scrapped its services from Paris-Vatry Airport (Marne) earlier this year.
And last year, Ryanair pulled its services fromAirport in a separate dispute over airport fees.
The French Airports Association (Union des Aerports Francais) expects Ryanair to cut service over the next two years.
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