Ryanair Slashes One Million Seats to Spain: What Passengers Need to Know

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, is once again cutting flights and reducing capacity at airports in Spain. The decision comes in response to Aena, the state-controlled airport operator, which is set to increase its fees for airlines by 6.5% starting in 2026. This significant fee hike directly impacts the airline’s operational costs, a burden that Ryanair has consistently stated it will not absorb. The company argues that these “excessive” charges hinder the growth of regional airports, and this is not the first time it has reduced its services in Spain for this reason.

The airline estimates that this latest move could affect up to one million passengers this winter, particularly British holidaymakers. While the full list of impacted routes is yet to be announced, past cuts have primarily targeted regional airports such as Vigo, Santander, and Zaragoza. Aena justifies the fee increase by citing the need to fund expansions at its main hubs in Madrid and Barcelona. However, Ryanair maintains that these rising costs make it difficult to continue offering competitive fares and will ultimately harm passenger numbers.

This situation isn’t isolated. Over the past few months, Ryanair has taken similar actions in other countries. For example, it recently cancelled flights to several French airports after the French government introduced a significant air tax. This led the airline to cease operations in Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg. This pattern highlights Ryanair’s firm stance on controlling costs and its willingness to take drastic measures to protect its profitability in response to government or regulatory changes.

For passengers with existing bookings, what happens now? Ryanair’s policy for cancelled flights is to offer affected customers either a full refund or the option to rebook on an alternative route. It is crucial for passengers to stay informed by monitoring the airline’s official announcements and checking their booking status. Since Ryanair has stated that it will make a full announcement on the impacted routes, affected passengers should receive a direct notification from the airline.

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Source: The Sun

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