Tenerife & Santiago Airline Routes: Vueling & Iberia Express Respond
- Following Ryanair's declaration of significant route and seat reductions in Spain, other airlines are stepping in to fill the void, while the Transport Minister firmly rejects claims of...
- Ryanair recently announced it would cut one million seats and 36 routes in Spain,completely abandoning service to Vigo,Santiago,and Valladolid.The airline also reduced its presence in Tenerife.
- However,Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Óscar Puente responded to these concerns in the Senate,stating that other airlines are already prepared to fill the gaps left by Ryanair.
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Ryanair Route Cuts in Spain Met with Competitor Expansion & Government Defiance
Table of Contents
Following Ryanair’s declaration of significant route and seat reductions in Spain, other airlines are stepping in to fill the void, while the Transport Minister firmly rejects claims of being pressured by the Irish carrier.
what Happened?
Ryanair recently announced it would cut one million seats and 36 routes in Spain,completely abandoning service to Vigo,Santiago,and Valladolid.The airline also reduced its presence in Tenerife. This decision was attributed to the Spanish government’s refusal to lower airport taxes, a point of contention Ryanair has repeatedly raised. The cuts sparked concerns about connectivity for these regional airports.
However,Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Óscar Puente responded to these concerns in the Senate,stating that other airlines are already prepared to fill the gaps left by Ryanair. He famously referenced the proverb “To a dead king, another king,” suggesting a smooth transition.
Who is Affected?
The immediate impact is felt by travelers relying on Ryanair for service to and from Vigo,Santiago,and Valladolid. Reduced service in Tenerife also affects tourism and business travel to the Canary Islands. The regional airports themselves face potential economic consequences from decreased passenger traffic.
However, the situation also presents opportunities for competing airlines. Vueling, Binter, Iberia Express, and Wizz Air have already announced plans to increase their presence in Tenerife North, and Vueling will expand its services to santiago de Compostela. This competition could ultimately benefit consumers through increased flight options and potentially lower fares.
The Airlines Involved
| Airline | Action | Affected Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Reduced seats & routes, abandoned cities | Vigo, Santiago, Valladolid, Tenerife |
| Vueling | Increased presence | Tenerife North, Santiago de Compostela |
| Binter | increased presence | Tenerife North |
| Iberia Express | Increased presence | Tenerife North |
| Wizz Air | increased presence | Tenerife North |
Government Response & aena’s Position
Minister Óscar Puente strongly defended the government’s airport policy, stating that no company would be allowed to dictate policy through “blackmail.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining a consistent airport and tourism strategy. This stance signals a firm resolve against yielding to Ryanair’s demands for lower airport fees.
Aena, the Spanish airport authority, has also defended its tariff structure, accusing Ryanair of distorting figures related to airport programming.This suggests a broader disagreement between the airline and the airport operator regarding the cost of operating in Spain.
Timeline of Events
- Recent Past: Ryanair announces cuts to routes and seats in Spain.
- This Week: Minister Puente responds in the Senate, assuring that other airlines will fill the gaps.
- Ongoing: Vueling, Binter, Iberia Express, and Wizz Air announce increased presence in Tenerife North and Santiago de Compostela.
- Past Spring: Previous Ryanair route abandonments went largely unaddressed by other airlines.