Holiday flights to Spain could be at risk as Ryanair signals further cuts over rising airport fees.
Ryanair threatens to axe more flights to Spain
The low-cost airline Ryanair has warned it may reduce more routes to Spain after airport operator Aena proposed annual fee increases of 3.8% between 2027 and 2031.
The airline says the rising charges could make some routes unviable, particularly to regional destinations that rely heavily on budget carriers.
Eddie Wilson, Ryanair’s chief executive, said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5% cent compared to 9% in Italy, 11% in Morocco or 20% in Poland.”
He added that Aena’s pricing strategy was “regrettable, but not surprising”, accusing the operator of maintaining an “airport monopoly” and claiming regional airports in Spain were often underused.
Wilson warned that if fees continue to rise, even major Spanish airports could become “uncompetitive”, with the airline instead shifting capacity to destinations such as Albania, Sweden, Italy and Morocco where costs are lower.
Aena has defended its plans, saying the increases are needed to support a €13bn investment programme across Spain’s airport network.
It said the funding would ensure safety, maintenance and future capacity, under its “every airport counts” strategy.
For travellers, the dispute raises the prospect of fewer budget options to Spain at a time when demand for Mediterranean holidays remains strong and airlines across Europe are reassessing route profitability amid rising operating costs.
Industry observers say the situation highlights a wider pressure across European aviation, as airports and airlines continue to clash over who should absorb rising operational costs, and how much of that is ultimately passed on to passengers.