Ryanair, a prominent European low-cost airline, has announced a reduction in its 2025 flight schedules across several Spanish airports, impacting regional travel options and sparking a heated dispute with the Spanish airport operator, Aena. The airline plans to remove 800,000 seats from the Spanish market, representing 18% of its operations in the country, and eliminate twelve routes entirely. This move is attributed by Ryanair to “excessive” fees imposed by Aena, a claim vehemently denied by the airport operator, who accuses the airline of employing “blackmail” tactics to secure free airport access. Aena asserts that its current per-passenger charges, frozen at €10.35, are among the lowest in Europe and emphasizes its incentive programs designed to bolster traffic at regional airports.
The airports most significantly affected by Ryanair’s decision are Jerez and Valladolid, where the airline will cease operations completely. Jerez will retain connections through other airlines like Binter, Air Nostrum, and Vueling, while Valladolid’s commercial service will be severely limited. Other regional airports, including Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander, will also experience reductions in Ryanair flights, though to a lesser extent. Vigo stands to lose the largest capacity, with a 61% reduction in Ryanair flights, while Santiago will lose one based aircraft, leading to a 28% capacity decrease. Ryanair argues that Aena’s lack of effective growth incentives at regional airports has forced them to redirect resources to more competitive European markets.
At the heart of the conflict lies the disagreement over airport fees and Aena’s incentive programs. Ryanair claims that the fees are hindering growth at regional airports, while Aena maintains they are among the lowest in Europe and already include substantial discounts for increased passenger numbers at regional airports. Aena highlights its initiative offering a 100% discount on charges for passengers exceeding 2023 levels at eligible regional airports, bringing the effective fee for Ryanair down to €2 per passenger. Aena accuses Ryanair of misrepresenting the situation and engaging in a long-standing pattern of aggressive negotiation tactics.
The broader context of rising costs within the aviation industry further complicates the issue. Inflation has driven up expenses for airlines, including fuel, staff, and supplies, leading to increased airfares. While industry data varies, IATA reports a 16% increase in airfares in 2024 compared to 2019, while ACI suggests a steeper 38% rise. Airports, however, have faced limitations in raising their charges to match these rising costs. ACI notes that airport charges in Europe rose by only 13.6% in 2024, significantly below the cost increases they are experiencing. This discrepancy exacerbates the tension between airlines seeking to control costs and airports needing to recover expenses and invest in infrastructure.
Adding to the complexity is the approved 4.09% increase in Aena’s fees in 2024, despite a prior government-mandated five-year freeze. This increase, authorized by the Spanish competition authority CNMC, added €0.40 per passenger. While Aena’s subsequent proposed increase for 2025 was rejected, this permitted fee increase further fuels Ryanair’s grievances. However, Aena counters that Ryanair’s argument about excessive fees is undermined by the airline’s overall growth in Spain. Despite the planned cuts, Ryanair’s Spanish operations are projected to increase by 5% in 2025, with continued growth at larger, more touristic airports where the full per-passenger fee is applied.
Aena disputes Ryanair’s claims of unprofitability, emphasizing the high occupancy rates on the regional routes Ryanair plans to cut, which often exceeded those of major city airports. Aena argues that Ryanair’s move is a strategic ploy to pressure the government and the airport operator for further concessions, potentially even constituting illegal activity under Spanish law. They believe Ryanair is using the 800,000 seat reduction, representing only 1.21% of their total 2024 passenger traffic, as leverage in their negotiations. Aena remains firm in its stance, asserting that Ryanair’s ultimate aim is to utilize Spanish airports at no cost, a move they deem unsustainable for the Spanish airport system’s long-term financial viability. The standoff between Ryanair and Aena highlights the ongoing tensions within the aviation industry as airlines and airports grapple with rising costs, competitive pressures, and the complexities of regulating airport charges.
