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.
