Ryanair has announced plans to slash 800,000 seats from its Spanish operations for summer 2025, citing “excessive” airport fees as the main reason. The budget airline’s decision will impact seven airports across the country, including full withdrawals from Jerez and Valladolid. Spanish airport operator Aena has accused Ryanair of employing aggressive tactics to gain financial advantages, calling the move a form of “blackmail.”
Regional Airports Take the Biggest Hit
Smaller regional airports are bearing the brunt of Ryanair’s cuts. Jerez and Valladolid will lose all Ryanair services, leaving Valladolid with only one remaining airline and limited options. Vigo faces a 61% capacity reduction, and Santiago will lose one based aircraft, equating to a 28% cut. Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander will also see some flight reductions.
While Ryanair scales back at these locations, it plans to increase its operations at larger, more profitable airports like Madrid and Barcelona, which do not offer regional airport incentives.
Fee Dispute Escalates Between Ryanair and Aena
Ryanair blames its cuts on what it calls “unjustifiably high” fees imposed by Aena. The operator maintains that fees have been frozen at €10.35 per passenger since 2024, with additional subsidies available for regional airports. Aena’s incentive program could lower Ryanair’s per-passenger fee at eligible airports to just €2, but the airline argues the charges remain uncompetitive compared to other European markets.
Aena President Maurici Lucena pushed back, accusing Ryanair of spreading misinformation. “This is not about unprofitable routes; this is about applying pressure to gain an unfair advantage,” said Lucena, who also suggested that Ryanair’s actions could breach Spanish law.
A Strategic Shift Amid Rising Costs
Despite the cuts, Ryanair’s overall activity in Spain continues to grow. The airline increased operations by 8.7% in 2024 and plans a further 5% expansion in 2025, focusing on major hubs with higher passenger volumes. Analysts believe the cuts are less about fees and more about business strategy, with Ryanair reallocating resources to higher-margin routes.
Aena highlighted that Ryanair’s regional flights were consistently full, questioning the airline’s claims of unprofitability. The operator reiterated that its fees are among the lowest in Europe and accused Ryanair of trying to use Spanish airports for free, threatening the financial sustainability of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
The Future of Regional Connectivity
Ryanair’s decision raises concerns about reduced connectivity in affected regions. While major airports will see continued growth, smaller communities relying on regional airports face limited travel options. Aena and local stakeholders are urging Ryanair to reconsider its approach, warning that these cuts could have long-term economic impacts.
As tensions rise, the dispute underscores broader challenges in the aviation sector, where rising costs and competition are forcing airlines and airport operators to navigate a complex balancing act. Whether this standoff leads to resolution or further escalation remains to be seen.
