Ryanair slashes regional Spain flights as Aena rejects “blackmail” over airport fees

Ryanair announced it will cut over 2 million seats annually from Spain’s regional airports, citing Aena’s planned 6.62% fee hike for 2026. The airport operator rejected the airline’s claims.

Ryanair will close its Santiago base, suspend all flights to Vigo and Tenerife Norte, keep Valladolid and Jerez shut, and reduce capacity in Asturias, Santander, Zaragoza, Vitoria, and the Canary Islands. Ryanair warns these cuts will cost Spain jobs, tourism, and connectivity, while shifting aircraft to markets like Italy, Morocco, and Croatia.

Aena strongly rejected the claims, calling Ryanair’s communications “dishonest” and accusing the carrier of using threats and route cuts as leverage to win subsidies. The operator stressed that Spain is heading for record tourism and traffic in 2025, and that its charges remain among the most competitive in Europe.

Aena argued Ryanair’s real motive is higher profits, not regional connectivity, and said the Spanish airport model — which cross-subsidises smaller airports — ensures nationwide access without taxpayer bailouts.