Ryanair threatens to axe MORE Spanish routes after scrapping 1.2million seats
RYANAIR has warned it’s planning on axing even MORE routes to Spain next year.
This comes after the budget airline announced it would be cutting 1.2million seats from popular destinations this summer.
Ryanair has already revealed that this year it plans to axe over a million seats to certain Spanish routes, with some routes being cut down.
Others could be axed completely – and there could be more to come.
This is in response to Aena – the state-controlled airport operator in the country – increasing its fees for airlines.
The operator has proposed an increase in passenger fees, meaning airlines would be paying 21 per cent more from 2027 to 2031.
CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson has now said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.”
He added: “Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”
Eddie Wilson continued to say that if the fees were to be increased it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive.”
He said that Ryanair’s aircraft would end up going to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive” instead.
Ryanair isn’t the only airline hitting back at the proposals from Aena.
According to Business Travel News Europe, “‘airline groups are objecting to proposed increases” and have called for an “annual reduction in the fees.”
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s regional vice president for Europe, called AENA’s proposed level of increases “unsustainable and unrealistic”.
After the proposals were announced, Ryanair last year revealed cancellations of its routes to Vigo and Santiago.
The airline is also reducing its capacity at Santander, the Canary Islands, and Zaragoza.
It is also significantly scaling back its operations at Santiago de Compostela.
Elsewhere in Spain, Ryanair is halting all flights to Asturias and Vigo, and the base in Jerez will remain closed in 2026.
Other axed routes last year include those to French airports like Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg.
However, Ryanair will restart routes to Bergerac in March with flights being bookable until the end of October 2026.
In response to possible tax increases in Belgium, Ryanair has said that 1.1million seats will be axed across Charleroi Airport this year.
This will be followed by another 1.1million in 2027.
Charleroi City Council is set to introduce a €3 per passenger tax from April 2026.
And the Belgium government is set to increase the passenger tax from €2 to €10 by January 2027.
Check out this cheap and sunny destiantion alternative to Spain…
With Ryanair axing flights across Europe this year – Morocco could become even more affordable in the coming years…
This means that your trip to Tenerife could become more expensive – and if so, you should take a look at Morocco instead.
Cities around the North African country could be set to get cheaper flights as Ryanair has said that the capacity removed from Spanish airports will be reallocated to more competitive European markets, including Morocco.
There are plenty of options like Marrakesh, Agadir, Rabat or Essaouira.
Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, went on a trip earlier this year and said: “I’ve spent a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.
“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.“
For more on holidays, check out Morocco’s capital city that’s an ‘understated seaside gem’ and far less crowded than Marrakesh.
Plus, here’s the best time of day to book flights down to the exact MINUTE – and how it can save you hundreds on your holiday.