Ryanair Cuts 41% Capacity Across Spanish Regions, Closes Bases Amid Fee Dispute

Ryanair is significantly reducing its flight capacity in Spain, cutting nearly 2 million seats annually due to what it calls excessive and uncompetitive airport fees imposed by Spain's airport operator Aena. This winter, Ryanair will close its base in Santiago de Compostela, suspend all flights to Vigo starting January 2026, and drop service to Tenerife North, while also maintaining closures at Valladolid and Jerez airports. The capacity cuts amount to a 41% reduction at Spanish regional airports and a 10% cut in the Canary Islands, leading to the cancellation of 36 direct connections and a loss of investment, connectivity, tourism, and jobs. Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson accused the Spanish government of pursuing an "anti-tailism" policy and criticized Aena's fee hikes, which threaten the viability of many regional routes. Aena's CEO Maurici Lucena responded by accusing Ryanair of blackmail and defending the fee increases, while Spain's labor minister plans to enforce labor laws in response to the dispute. Ryanair plans to reallocate the freed capacity to other European and North African destinations, including Italy, Morocco, Croatia, Albania, Hungary, and Sweden.