Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest budget airlines, has taken drastic measures in its ongoing dispute with Spanish airport operator Aena over what it claims are “excessive” airport fees. The airline has axed thousands of flights to Spain, citing the high charges imposed by Aena as the primary reason for this decision. Specifically, Ryanair will cease operations at two regional airports—Jerez in the south and Valladolid in the north—while reducing its presence at five other airports, including Santiago, Vigo, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander. This move is part of a broader reduction in traffic, with the airline slashing 18% of its capacity in Spain, equivalent to cutting around 800,000 seats and 12 routes. While it remains unclear whether flights from the UK will be directly impacted, the changes could still have significant consequences for travelers relying on these connections.
The dispute between Ryanair and Aena has been escalating for some time, with both parties trading accusations. Aena has criticized Ryanair for what it describes as “blackmail” tactics, accusing the airline of trying to strong-arm the operator into granting free access to its airports. In a strongly worded statement, Aena’s president condemned Ryanair’s behavior, calling it a “modus operandi” characterized by “threats, half-truths, and lies.” The president also expressed that Ryanair had crossed a line in terms of respect, good faith, and basic business courtesy. Aena has argued that its fees are competitive, pointing out that at 17 regional airports, it reduced charges to just £1.66 per passenger in October 2023, making them among the cheapest in Europe. However, Ryanair has dismissed this claim, asserting that airports in Italy and Poland offer even lower fees.
Ryanair, meanwhile, has defended its actions, framing the cuts as a necessary response to what it views as unsustainable charges that harm the growth of regional airports in Spain. The airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, has been vocal in his criticism of Spanish authorities, even going so far as to describe a Spanish consumer rights minister as a “crazy communist” for his stance on passenger fees. This latest spat follows a £90 million fine imposed on Ryanair by Spain’s consumer rights ministry in 2023 over “abusive practices,” including excessive baggage fees and other extra charges. Ryanair has denied any wrongdoing, with O’Leary dismissing claims that passengers should be allowed to carry unlimited luggage, arguing that such a policy is unrealistic.
The impact of Ryanair’s decision is likely to be felt most acutely by travelers who rely on the affected routes, particularly those connecting regional airports in Spain to destinations in the UK and elsewhere. For example, Valladolid Airport, which will no longer be serviced by Ryanair, will now see only one airline—Binter Canarias—operating a limited schedule of just two flights per week to Gran Canaria. Similarly, other regional airports, such as Santander, which is currently served only by Ryanair from the UK, could face reduced connectivity, leaving passengers with fewer options and potentially higher prices. Experts warn that the reduction in competition could lead to increased fares and more inconvenient, indirect routes for travelers trying to reach these destinations.
Ryanair’s decision is part of a broader campaign by the airline to challenge what it perceives as excessive airport fees across Europe. In a statement, CEO Eddie Wilson called on Spain’s National Authority for Markets and Competition to intervene, urging the regulator to overturn Aena’s planned fee increases for 2024. Wilson argued that without such action, Spain risks losing out on aviation capacity and investment to more competitive markets, where airport charges are lower. He warned that regional airports in Spain could be left half-empty as airlines like Ryanair shift their operations to more cost-effective destinations. This sentiments echo Ryanair’s long-standing criticism of high airport fees, which it claims disproportionately affect low-cost carriers and limit the growth of regional air travel.
Despite Ryanair’s aggressive stance, Aena has shown no signs of backing down. In a statement, the airport operator called on Ryanair to “calm down” and abandon what it described as a “mendacious, aggressive, and threatening” approach to negotiations. Aena accused Ryanair of attempting to blackmail not just the operator, but also the wider Spanish public, by using threats of flight cuts to extract concessions. The operator reiterated its commitment to maintaining a fair and competitive pricing structure, emphasizing that its fees are already among the lowest in Europe. As the standoff continues, travelers are left caught in the middle, facing potential disruptions to their plans and fewer options for affordable flights to regional destinations in Spain.
