Ryanair Plans to Cut Another Million Spain Seats

Ryanair is preparing to slash a further one million seats from its Spanish flight program next summer as a dispute with the country’s airport operator escalates. The low-cost carrier has already removed two million seats from its Spanish schedule for this summer and the coming winter season, but CEO Michael O’Leary has warned the cuts are not over yet.

At the heart of the issue is a 6.5% increase in airport charges imposed by Aena, Spain’s state-owned airport operator. Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has strongly opposed the hike, calling it unfair and damaging to tourism. O’Leary said he would “fly elsewhere” rather than pay higher fees, signaling a shift of capacity to markets where costs are lower.

Spain is Ryanair’s biggest market, with the airline serving dozens of airports across the country and carrying millions of passengers annually to popular holiday destinations like the Canary Islands, Costa del Sol, and Balearic Islands. A reduction of three million seats in total could have a significant impact on local tourism-dependent economies, particularly in peak travel months.

Industry analysts say Ryanair’s aggressive stance could be an attempt to pressure Aena into reconsidering the fee hike, but warn that travelers may face fewer options and higher fares if the cuts go ahead. Despite the dispute, Ryanair continues to expand in other European markets, reallocating aircraft to countries offering more favorable operating conditions and maintaining its focus on low-cost growth.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com