Travelers flying from Spanish regional airports this summer will face fewer low-cost options, as Ryanair scales back its operations in the country. The European budget airline, one of the largest in the world, has announced it will remove 800,000 seats from the Spanish market in 2025, accounting for 18% of its total operations in Spain. The cuts include the elimination of 12 routes and reduced services at several regional airports.

Ryanair cites the “excessive” fees imposed by Spanish airport operator Aena as the main reason for the cuts. According to the airline, the high fees have made it economically unfeasible to continue operating at certain airports. Ryanair’s Chief Executive Officer, Eddie Wilson, expressed frustration, claiming that Aena’s lack of incentives for regional growth is undermining Spain’s smaller airports.

However, Aena has fiercely contested these claims, accusing Ryanair of “blackmail” and arguing that the airline is using its influence to pressure the government and airport operators into granting access to airports for free. Maurici Lucena, President of Aena, dismissed Ryanair’s complaints, accusing the airline of relying on threats, lies, and a lack of respect for institutional integrity.

The dispute escalated further when Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary criticized Spanish consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy during a news conference. O’Leary, who had previously been fined €107.8 million in November 2024 for “abusive practices” related to baggage charges, labeled Bustinduy a “crazy communist minister.” Bustinduy retaliated, vowing not to be intimidated in his efforts to protect consumers from multinational companies.

Among the airports losing Ryanair services, Jerez and Valladolid will be the most impacted. Ryanair will completely withdraw from both airports, leaving Valladolid with just one carrier, Binter Canarias, while Jerez will retain limited services from other airlines like Vueling and Air Nostrum. Other airports, including Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander, will also experience service reductions, with Vigo seeing the largest cut at 61%.

Despite these reductions, Aena insists that its fees are among the lowest in Europe and that they offer substantial incentives for airlines operating at regional airports. Aena’s new initiative, introduced in late 2024, offers a 100% discount for additional passengers over 2023 levels at airports with fewer than three million passengers. This scheme could reduce Ryanair’s per-passenger fee to just €2, countering the airline’s claims of excessive charges.

Ryanair, however, argues that inflationary pressures and rising costs in aviation, including fuel and staffing, have led to an unsustainable business model at some Spanish airports. Aena, meanwhile, maintains that Ryanair’s decision to cut services is a strategic move to exert pressure on the Spanish government and airport authorities, with little regard for the actual profitability of the routes.

As the dispute continues, travelers in Spain’s regional airports may see a reduction in the availability of low-cost flights as Ryanair reallocates its aircraft to more competitive European markets.

AirlineRatings has unveiled its rankings for the safest airlines in the world for 2025, with several European carriers securing spots in the prestigious list. This comes at a time when aviation safety concerns are heightened due to recent incidents in the news.

For the second consecutive year, Air New Zealand has claimed the top spot as the world’s safest airline. The airline continues to lead, edging out its Australian counterpart, Qantas, which had previously shared the title in 2024 and 2022. The Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions dominate the first 11 spots in the rankings, but European airlines are well-represented, securing seven positions in the top 25.

Among the safest European airlines, Turkish Airlines emerged as the highest ranked, securing 13th place globally. The airline, known for its extensive network, has not experienced a fatal accident since 2009, despite operating to more destinations than any other carrier. Turkish Airlines was also recognized for its exceptional catering and inflight entertainment, earning a ‘World Class’ rating from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the ‘Best Airline in Europe’ title from Skytrax.

In second place among European carriers, TAP Portugal was ranked 14th globally. TAP has maintained an impeccable safety record, having not lost a passenger since 1977. The airline also offers specialized courses to help passengers overcome fear of flying, further boosting its reputation for passenger care.

The list also highlights several other major European carriers, including SAS (16th), British Airways (17th), Iberia (18th), Finnair (19th), and Lufthansa Group, which includes SWISS (20th). Notably, Iberia has had a transformative year, earning accolades for on-time performance, outstanding staff, and catering services. This marks the first time Iberia has appeared in the top 25 safest airlines list.

Low-cost European airlines also made a strong showing in the rankings. Ryanair, with an impeccable safety record spanning 40 years, was recognized as the safest budget airline in Europe and claimed 3rd place globally. EasyJet followed closely behind in 4th place, maintaining a stellar safety record since its inception in 1995. Wizz Air, another low-cost carrier, ranked 7th globally and secured its position as the third safest low-cost airline in Europe.

Other European low-cost airlines featured in the top 25 include Norwegian (12th), Vueling (13th), Jet2 (14th), Eurowings (20th), and airBaltic (25th). Notably, both Jet2 and airBaltic made their debut in the top 25 this year, with airBaltic celebrating its achievement as a testament to its commitment to safety.

The rankings are based on a comprehensive assessment that includes factors such as the age of aircraft, pilot training, the airline’s safety record, and whether the airline has passed various global safety audits, including the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit and the IATA Operational Safety Audit.

AirlineRatings hopes the rankings provide passengers with greater confidence when booking their flights, particularly in an era when aviation safety is of paramount concern.

The northern lights are expected to shine brighter and appear more frequently in 2025 than they have in over a decade, thanks to a peak in solar activity. This spectacular celestial phenomenon has already dazzled viewers across Europe in late 2024, with auroras visible much farther south than usual.

The vivid display, also known as the aurora borealis, occurs when charged particles from the sun—called the solar wind—interact with Earth’s atmosphere. Typically visible only near the Arctic Circle, the lights’ mesmerizing colors, ranging from green to magenta, have recently graced skies as far south as England, Slovenia, and even parts of Italy and Greece.

Why the Northern Lights Are More Active

The heightened activity is due to the sun nearing the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, during which its magnetic field flips completely. This peak, occurring between 2024 and 2025, has led to a surge in sunspots, a key indicator of solar activity.

In some cases, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)—large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s atmosphere—cause the aurora’s typical Arctic zone to expand. This phenomenon allows the lights to appear at lower latitudes, offering rare opportunities for stargazers across Europe.

In November 2023, an unusually strong aurora spectacle lit up skies from southern England to Central Macedonia in Greece. Photographers captured breathtaking images of magenta and fuchsia hues, with the specific colors depending on the type of gas molecules and their altitude in the atmosphere.

Best Locations to Witness the Northern Lights in 2025

For those eager to experience this natural wonder, 2025 is an ideal year to plan an aurora-chasing trip. Traditional hotspots like Finland’s Lapland, Tromsø in Norway, Abisko in Sweden, and Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park remain top destinations. These locations offer clear skies, minimal light pollution, and proximity to other natural marvels, such as geysers and hot springs.

Jokkmokk in Sweden, recommended by travel experts, combines aurora sightings with insights into Sami culture and traditions. For those unable to venture far, the intensified solar activity means that northern lights may also be visible in countries like the UK, Germany, and Italy. International Dark Sky Parks, which preserve night skies free from artificial light, are excellent local options for aurora viewing.

A Unique Opportunity

With the sun entering a particularly active phase, the northern lights are poised to be more brilliant and widespread than they’ve been in years. Experts suggest aiming for the March and October equinoxes, when geomagnetic activity tends to peak. Whether from the Arctic Circle or closer to home, 2025 promises unforgettable opportunities to witness the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis.