Ryanair Cancels Routes Amid Tax Disputes, Cuts 1.7 Million Seats

Ryanair has recently canceled multiple routes due to rising airport fees and government taxes, significantly impacting its operations in Spain and Denmark. In Spain, the airline has axed flights to Jerez and Valladolid, reducing overall capacity by 800,000 seats due to what it calls 'excessive' charges imposed by airport operator Aena. Meanwhile, Ryanair is discontinuing its London Stansted to Aalborg route in Denmark, citing a new 50DKK tax on departing flights as the primary reason for the cancellation. CEO Michael O'Leary has expressed disappointment over these developments, asserting that the tax policies are detrimental to both Ryanair and regional connectivity. The airline is also cutting the Bournemouth to Agadir route in response to a planned increase in Air Passenger Duty, further reflecting its strategy to reassess operations amidst rising costs. O'Leary's recent comments illustrate a broader frustration with government policies that he believes undermine airline operations and growth prospects.