Ryanair has announced a significant reduction in its summer 2025 schedule for Spain, cutting 12 routes and 800,000 seats.
The low-cost airline will cease operations entirely at Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) and Valladolid airports. It will also scale back services at five others: Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander.
Ryanair criticises Aena’s “ineffective” measures
Aena, Spain’s publicly traded airport operator, manages 46 airports and two heliports across the country. It is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of airport infrastructure and plays a pivotal role in Spain’s aviation sector.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson blamed Aena for imposing “excessive charges” and failing to implement effective incentive schemes aimed at boosting traffic at regional airports. Speaking at a press conference, Wilson accused Aena of operating as a “monopoly” that hinders the government’s goal of decentralising air travel and increasing activity in less-used airports.
Impact on regional airports
Wilson stated that Aena’s pricing policies are stalling growth at regional airports, despite these locations having the necessary infrastructure and capacity. He argued that the high charges make Spain’s regional airports less competitive than their European counterparts.
Details of flight reductions
Ryanair will withdraw from Jerez de la Frontera and Valladolid entirely and reduce services at:
- Vigo: 61% cut in traffic
- Santiago de Compostela: 28% reduction
- Zaragoza: 20% reduction
- Asturias: 11% reduction
- Santander: 5% reduction
Overall, the airline will reduce capacity at regional airports by 18% for summer 2025.
Relocating capacity to other markets
The cuts will see Ryanair reallocating aircraft and routes to markets like Sweden, Croatia, Hungary, and Morocco. The airline cited ongoing supply chain delays affecting Airbus and Boeing as additional pressures shaping its decisions.
Growth at major Spanish airports
Despite cuts at regional hubs, Ryanair plans to expand operations at Málaga, Alicante, and Reus, adding a net 1.5 million seats for the summer season. However, Wilson noted that further growth in Madrid and Barcelona is unfeasible due to capacity limits.
Aena’s response
Aena dismissed Ryanair’s criticisms as “false arguments” intended to mislead and pressure the public. The airport operator pointed out that its incentive schemes provide support for regional airports, where fees average just €2 per passenger. Aena also accused Ryanair of focusing on larger airports like Madrid and Barcelona, which are not subsidised but still offer some of the lowest fees in Europe.
Ryanair challenges cabin baggage fine
Wilson also addressed the €107 million fine imposed by Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs for charging passengers for hand luggage. He labelled the penalty “stupid,” arguing that it is impractical to accommodate carry-on bags for every passenger due to space constraints. Wilson warned that enforcing such rules could lead to higher ticket prices and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved at the European level.