Ryanair, Aena Clash Over Spanish Airport Fees
Ryanair and Spanish airport operator Aena are embroiled in a dispute over airport charges as the Irish ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) scales back its Spanish network for summer 2025. Citing “excessive charges” and ineffective incentive systems at regional airports, Ryanair has announced plans to cut 800,000 seats and 12 routes, signaling a significant reduction in operations at several key regional airports.
The ULCC’s decision includes the cessation of services at Jerez and Valladolid and notable capacity reductions at regional hubs. For instance, routes from Vigo will see a 61% cut, Santiago will be reduced by 28%, Zaragoza by 20%, Asturias by 11%, and Santander by 5%. These measures reflect Ryanair’s frustration with what CEO Eddie Wilson calls “unjustified rate increases” imposed by Aena, which he argues have disrupted the airline’s ability to effectively support Spain’s regional growth.
Wilson criticized Aena for failing to implement effective incentive packages that could facilitate operational stability at regional airports. He further contended that the operator’s focus is skewed toward prioritizing foreign investments at its facilities in the UK and the Americas, leaving Spanish carriers to bear the brunt of increased airport charges. Although Wilson welcomed the recent decision by Spain’s competition authority, Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), to freeze Aena’s rates for 2025, he maintained that this measure fails to address the cumulative impact of previous fee hikes.
In response to Ryanair’s claims, Aena dismissed the airline’s criticism as nothing more than a “mimetic replica” of its broader European communication strategy. The operator defended its pricing model, noting that its average airport charge of €10.35 ($10.65) per passenger remains “one of the lowest in Europe.” Furthermore, Aena has ensured that these charges are frozen until 2026, offering stability amid a growing aviation market in Spain.
Aena also highlighted that available commercial incentives allow regional airports to reduce their rates to as low as approximately €2 per passenger. This, according to the operator, underscores the reality that Ryanair’s decision to cut routes at regional airports is based more on a commercial choice than solely on the matter of airport fees. Aena emphasized that despite the planned reductions in some regions, Ryanair’s overall seat capacity in Spain is set to expand compared to summer 2024. Analysis based on OAG data indicates a projected 5% year-on-year growth in the carrier’s scheduled capacity across Spain.
The disagreement between Ryanair and Aena comes at a time when Spain’s aviation market is experiencing robust growth. Aena’s airports handled a record 309.3 million passengers in 2024, marking a 9.2% increase over the previous year. Furthermore, airlines are projected to offer around 118 million departure seats from and within Spain during the summer 2025 season—a growth of more than 3% on 2024 figures, as noted by OAG.
As the debate intensifies, both parties remain firm in their positions. Ryanair continues to press for a rollback of increased fees and the implementation of more effective incentive packages by Spanish regulators. In contrast, Aena stands by its competitive pricing and points to its strategic investments and capacity expansion plans amid a recovering and growing market.
The unfolding dispute between Ryanair and Aena is likely to have broader implications for the Spanish aviation landscape, particularly for regional connectivity and the cost structures influencing airline operations in the country.
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