Ryanair Cuts Spain Flights: 1 Million Seats Reduced Next Summer
- Updated September 12, 2025, at 09:36 AM PDT - Ryanair is escalating its dispute with Spanish airport operator Aena, threatening to cut an additional 1 million seats for...
- The conflict centers around Aena's decision to raise passenger charges by 6.5%.
- Ryanair has already cancelled up to 2 million seats for the recent winter season and the past summer.
Ryanair Threatens Further Flight Cuts to Spain Over Airport Taxes
Table of Contents
Updated September 12, 2025, at 09:36 AM PDT – Ryanair is escalating its dispute with Spanish airport operator Aena, threatening to cut an additional 1 million seats for next summer’s flights. This follows previous cancellations totaling up to 2 million seats due to a 6.5% increase in aena’s charges.
The Dispute: Ryanair vs. Aena
The conflict centers around Aena’s decision to raise passenger charges by 6.5%. Ryanair, led by CEO Michael O’Leary, refuses to pay the increased fees, arguing they make Spanish routes unprofitable. O’Leary stated in an interview with the Financial Times following the airline’s annual meeting on Thursday that he anticipates announcing another 1 million seat reduction for next summer if the situation remains unresolved.
previous Seat Cancellations
Ryanair has already cancelled up to 2 million seats for the recent winter season and the past summer. Thes cuts demonstrate the airline’s commitment to its stance against the increased charges. O’Leary indicated a willingness to shift capacity to other destinations if Spanish airport costs remain too high, specifically mentioning Palma (Mallorca) as a more cost-effective alternative to cities like Jerez.
| Period | Seat Cancellations |
|---|---|
| Winter 2024/2025 | Up to 1 million seats |
| Summer 2024 | Up to 1 million seats |
| Summer 2025 (potential) | up to 1 million seats |
Ryanair’s Position and Aena’s Response
Ryanair is calling on Aena to reverse the cost increases.O’Leary expressed a lack of interest in serving Spanish airports if the government fails to persuade Aena to reconsider. The airline believes that the higher charges negatively impact its competitiveness and ability to offer low fares.
Aena, as a state-owned operator, has not publicly responded directly to O’Leary’s latest threat as of September 12, 2025. However, they have previously defended the charge increases as necessary for maintaining and improving airport infrastructure.
Impact on Travelers and the Spanish Tourism Industry
Further flight cancellations could lead to higher ticket prices and reduced travel options for passengers flying to and from spain. The Spanish tourism industry, a meaningful contributor to the country’s economy, could also be negatively affected by a decrease in air travel. The timing of these potential cuts, impacting the summer season, is particularly concerning given the high demand for travel during that period.